This is a series of emails providing information on Bellevue College COVID-19 protocols for staff, faculty, and students as they return to campus over the next few weeks and months. The purpose of this notice is to provide a preliminary list of resources and services currently available on campus
COVID-19 Exposure Notification Emails
Dear BC Campus Community,
Beginning today, the college will transition from individual notifications to campus-wide notifications for COVID exposures. The campus will be notified once per day in a single campus-wide COVID-19 update email, Monday through Friday. If the campus does not receive any positive test notifications on a particular day, then an email will not be sent out.
The Flu Team received the following reports of COVID-19 cases on campus.
Next Steps
- If you believe you were exposed:
- You may come to campus; you must wear a high-quality mask at all times.
- Complete the Isolation & Exposure Calculator on the CDC isolation page.
- Follow the CDC isolation guidance.
- Read the FDA information on how to use a home antigen test.
- Watch for symptoms: fever (100.4°F or greater), runny nose, sore throat, cough, and other COVID-19 symptoms.
- If you test positive, submit a COVID Report as soon as possible so we can provide timely information to the campus.
- If you are experiencing any of the listed symptoms, stay home or go home immediately. Take a COVID-19 test.
Bellevue College Flu Team
REMEMBER: If you feel sick or have cold- or flu-like symptoms, GO HOME or STAY HOME. Take a COVID-19 test.
____________________________
Dear BC Campus Community,
The Flu Team received the following report of COVID-19 cases on campus.
Next Steps
- If you believe you were exposed:
- You may come to campus; you must wear a high-quality mask at all times.
- Complete the Isolation & Exposure Calculator on the CDC isolation page.
- Follow the CDC isolation guidance.
- Read the FDA information on how to use a home antigen test.
- Watch for symptoms: fever (100.4°F or greater), runny nose, sore throat, cough, and other COVID-19 symptoms.
- If you test positive, submit a COVID Report as soon as possible so we can provide timely information to the campus.
- If you are experiencing any of the listed symptoms, stay home or go home immediately. Take a COVID-19 test.
Bellevue College Flu Team
COVID-19 Email Updates
Dear BC Community, While the Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control are tracking and monitoring COVID-19 in our area, Bellevue College is focused on communicating clearly and accurately as we prepare for the potential of more infections. As of now, the College will remain open and we will follow guidance from the health department regarding schedule changes, work restrictions, closures, etc. We do not yet know how the virus will impact our area; however, the situation is fluid and we are preparing to act quickly should we need to do so. For more information on COVID-19, please review the attached PDF from the King County Health Department.
What the College is doing
Our monitoring and communication efforts continue to be led by BC’s Flu Team, a group of college staff with emergency planning expertise, as they address ongoing issues regarding COVID-19 and influenza. The Flu Team is focusing on several key points to ensure the College is able to act quickly to any guidance that may be issued by the health department. While the purpose of this email is to provide some key information, details on many of the following points will be further discussed and shared in detail over the coming days. The key points of focus are:
- Remind the campus community that the most effective prevention for COVID-19 is frequent hand-washing and not touching the eyes, mouth, and nose.
- Clarify policies and procedures around teleworking, extended leave, distance learning, school and event closure, and travel.
- Communicate emergency plans as the COVID-19 presence in Bellevue evolves.
- Prepare for the potential need to move instruction online in the event of a possible extended closure (more information will be disseminated to faculty from the Associate VP of Academic Affairs in the near future).
- Identify additional on and off campus resources for students and staff, including local health clinics (see attached list).
- Focus on sanitizing common areas and high traffic touch points (doorknobs, tables, restrooms, etc.).
- Provide information to the campus community in a timely manner as the campus receives updates.
More Information
You can also stay informed by visiting the King County COVID-19 website, the Washington State Department of Health website, and by subscribing to the Public Health Insider blog. The Washington State Dept. of Health also established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, or what to do if you have symptoms, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press #. Bellevue College is also maintaining a flu website with links to the most current information.
What to do if you are feeling sick or have sick students
If you feel sick and have a fever or difficulty breathing, please contact your health clinic. Employees who are sick should contact their supervisors; students should contact their instructors. In the event that a student identifies that they may have been exposed to COVID-19, we encourage you to report the information to the CARE Team via Report a Concern. In addition, faculty members should inform their Dean. A CARE representative will address these on a case-by-case basis by contacting the student and working with them to plan accordingly and support their specific needs. Per FERPA, remember not to reveal student names or information to anyone who does not “need to know” (CARE Team, your Dean, and AVP are OK). If the College is open, but an employee personally does not feel safe to come to campus , they should treat decisions about not coming to campus in the same way they would regarding “sick leave”: report and make arrangements with their supervisors accordingly. If you think you are sick from exposure to COVID-19, please notify your supervisor so that we can institute next steps. Decisions about working from home or moving a course online to avoid exposure must be made in conjunction with your supervisor. Questions regarding employee leave, working from home, or other personnel related questions can be directed to the Office of Human Resources at 425-564-2274 or hr@bellevuecollege.edu.
Spring Break Travel
With Spring Break coming up soon, we encourage everyone to stay informed of the most current travel advisories from the U.S. State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and to use caution in traveling to areas with higher risk of infection. As of today (March 1), the CDC lists China, Italy, South Korea and Iran as Level 3 (Avoid Nonessential Travel) and Japan at Level 2 (Practice Enhanced Precautions). Along with the risk of infection, there is also the chance that travelers to these countries may be restricted or delayed entry into the U.S.
Report Bias
It is important to note that people are NOT at risk because of their race, nationality, or ethnicity. Having Chinese ancestry – or any other ancestry – does not place a person at higher risk for COVID19. You can help keep our campus safe and inclusive for everyone by sharing accurate information with your fellow community members. To report a bias incident, please fill out at a ticket at Report Concerns. For emotional support, students can contact our Counseling Center which is located on the second floor of the B Building, or by phone at (425) 564-5747. Faculty and staff can contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455 at any time (24/7). If you or someone you know witnesses or feels they have experienced bias, please use Report a Concern to let us know.
Stay Healthy
We encourage you to continue to take care of your health during this flu and cold season. Remember that the best thing you can do is regularly wash your hands with soap and water for 30 seconds and stay home if you are ill. Dennis D. Curran Vice President of Administrative Services Bellevue College, K100G Dennis.Curran@bellevevuecollege.edu 425-564-2446
Dear BC Community, Last night, March 2, the College received information that two students were exposed to COVID-19 (also known as Corona virus). To be clear: they DID NOT test positive, and it is our understanding that they are not currently exhibiting symptoms. After investigation, we learned this morning that one of the students was present in the T Building last week. At this time, neither King County Health Department nor the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are recommending closures, but out of an abundance of caution, the president’s cabinet has decided to close the T Building today, March 3, to disinfect and clean the facility. All other campus buildings will remain open, and classes and operations are continuing as normal. The College will consult with CDC and King County Health Department when making decisions about college operations. Additionally, our staff is working daily to sanitize the campus. Here are some things we are doing to limit the spread of germs:
- Uniform Laundry service – in the last year we implemented a uniform laundry service. Crew members don a fresh set every working day and throw their dirty uniform in the laundry basket at the end of the shift. This measure prevents contamination through clothing.
- Our custodial team has received training sessions to improve cleaning and disinfecting practices.
- During monthly safety meetings, we covered the importance of disinfecting the most touched surfaces on a daily basis to prevent an outbreak of a virus. Those areas are: doors, door knobs, tables, elevator buttons and more.
- Our custodians were instructed to change cleaning gloves between spaces they clean to prevent contamination. This measure prevents spreading any germs from one space to the next.
For students impacted by the closure, please check CANVAS for any guidance from your instructors. Faculty should continue to report issues related to COVID-19 to the CARE Team using Report Concerns. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more. The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff are top of mind as we work our way through this situation. For information about COVID-19 resources, please go to our website. You can also stay informed by visiting the King County COVID-19 website, the Washington State Department of Health website, and by subscribing to the Public Health Insider blog. The Washington State Dept. of Health also established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, or what to do if you have symptoms, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press #. For emotional support, students can contact our Counseling Center which is located on the second floor of the B Building, or by phone at (425) 564-5747. Faculty and staff can contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455 at any time (24/7). If you or someone you know witnesses or feels they have experienced bias, please use Report a Concern to let us know. We encourage you to continue to take care of your health during this flu and cold season. Remember that the best thing you can do is regularly wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and stay home if you are ill. Dennis D. Curran Vice President of Administrative Services Bellevue College, K100G Dennis.Curran@bellevevuecollege.edu 425-564-2446
Dear BC Community, Addressing the outbreak of COVID-19 is the college’s highest priority, and we are committed to the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. The Flu Team has been meeting intensively over the past three days to respond to the recommendations of Public Health – Seattle & King County. We are aware of the new recommendations made by Public Health late yesterday and will provide more detailed information about the plans for our college in an email later today. Students and employees who are sick should follow public health recommendations to stay home. In addition, Public Health – Seattle & King County recommends that people with higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible. Please continue to report issues related to possible COVID-19 exposure to the CARE Team using Report Concerns. It is important to note that people are NOT at risk because of their race, nationality, or ethnicity. Having Chinese ancestry – or any other ancestry – does not place a person at higher risk for COVID19.
Resources
King County Novel Coronavirus Call Center
- If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you’re a healthcare provider with questions about COVID-19, contact our novel coronavirus call center: 206-477-3977.
- The call center will be open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM PT.
- For general concerns and questions about COVID-19, please call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800-525-0127.
When to seek medical evaluation and advice
- If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, call your healthcare provider. Do not go to the emergency room. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.
- If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
More detail on these measures will be available at www.kingcounty.gov/covid Thank you for your continued patience and support. Dennis D. Curran Vice President of Administrative Services Bellevue College, K100G Dennis.Curran@bellevevuecollege.edu 425-564-2446
Dear BC Community, This is a challenging time for the College on a number of different levels, but I wanted to assure our community that even with the transition in leadership, BC is working collaboratively, and swiftly, with campus stakeholders from multiple departments to address the COVID-19 outbreak. As Dennis Curran stated in an earlier email, we are committed to the safety of our students, faculty, and staff. Based on the recommendations made by Public Health – Seattle & King County yesterday and today, the College is taking the following actions:
- The College will remain open for the time being, with the following caveats:
- Supervisors are encouraged to allow their employees to telework to the greatest extent possible, for the next three weeks (through March 27th). Please work with your supervisor to determine who is able to telework. There is more information attached on the COVID-19 – Leave and Work Options for Faculty and Staff. (see email)
- Effective tomorrow (Friday), instruction for the remainder of the quarter will continue online or through alternate modalities. Faculty are asked to move classes online and/or to institute alternate means of instructions for the rest of winter quarter. Some exceptions for essential functions (e.g., health care students, computer access) are still being discussed. The AVP of Instruction, Rob Viens, will send out an email later today with more information.
- Students – instruction will continue for the remainder of the quarter and every effort will be made for you to finish winter quarter classes. Your instructors will contact you regarding plans for your classes. Please make plans on how to access online materials and visit your course Canvas site regularly for information. Contact your instructor with any course related questions, or concerns about having access to appropriate technology.
- VETERAN students: Please note your benefits will not be impacted by shifting to online modality during this time.
- Effective tomorrow, Friday, March 5th, non-essential events with more than ten participants will be cancelled through March 27th. This includes all external customer events on campus.
- Effective Friday, March 5th, non-essential meetings with more than ten participants will be rescheduled or move online through March 27th. It is the responsibility of the meeting organizer to determine whether a meeting is essential; meetings that are not essential can continue through Microsoft Teams or Skype.
- The computer lab in N201 will remain open for students who need to access their services.
- The Cafeteria will ramp down operations over the next several days and close completely beginning March 9th. The cafeteria will reopen at the beginning of Spring quarter, April 1st.
- The Pizza kitchen will remain open from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- The C Building coffee shop will remain open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. on Fridays.
- The T Building coffee shop will remain open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and will close operations beginning March 13ththrough March 31stand will reopen for normal hours on April 1st.
- The food pantry, located by Student Programs on the second floor of the C Building, is available to students while supplies last. Donations for the pantry will continue to be accepted at the same location.
- The Early Learning Center will remain open for normal operating hours until further notice. The ELC is closing early tomorrow, March 6, to disinfect the classrooms and equipment.
- This is not an exhaustive list. If you have questions about an event, meeting or something else, please contact your supervisor or instructor for further information.
- The Flu Team will issue guidance tomorrow about Bellevue College-related travel.
- It is important to note that people are NOT at risk because of their race, nationality, or ethnicity.Having Chinese ancestry—or any other ancestry—does not place a person at higher risk for COVID-19. You can help keep our campus safe and inclusive for everyone by sharing accurate information with your fellow community members. To report a bias incident, please fill out at a report at bellevuecollege.edu/about-us/report-concerns.
What you can do
We strongly recommend students and employees who are sick follow public health recommendations to stay home. In addition, Public Health – Seattle & King County recommends that people with higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible. Employees can report sick days through the usual channels, and work with HR if they need to request shared leave. Employees should talk to their supervisor/dean about making arrangements to work from home where that is feasible. Always remember to wash your hands and avoid unnecessary contact (e.g., handshakes). Please do your best to reduce the spread of disease. Please continue to report issues related to possible COVID-19 exposure to the CARE Team using Report Concerns.
Will Campus Close?
At this time, public health officials are not recommending suspension of campus operations. Bellevue College is closely monitoring COVID-19 updates provided by the Washington State Department of Health, Public Health – Seattle & King County, and the Centers for Disease Control. We will continue to follow the guidance of health officials and provide updates and resources as they become available.
T Building Closure & Custodial Support
We appreciate your cooperation and patience with the temporary closure of the T Building on Tuesday. I’d like to thank our staff and students for calmly evacuating the building and especially our dedicated custodial crew for cleaning and sanitizing the facility. Additionally, please be patient with the status of our cleaning operations. It may be a few weeks until we get back to normal operations as we focus on sanitizing and disinfecting the most used areas. Stay healthy. Practice good hygiene habits. As the situation develops, we will continue to update the campus.
Resources
King County Novel Coronavirus Call Center
- If you are in King County and believe you were exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, or if you’re a healthcare provider with questions about COVID-19, contact our novel coronavirus call center: 206-477-3977.
- The call center will be open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM PT.
- For general concerns and questions about COVID-19, please call the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call Center at 800-525-0127.
When to seek medical evaluation and advice
- If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, call your healthcare provider. Do not go to the emergency room. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.
- If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
Public Health is recommending, but not requiring, the following steps:
- People at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from large groups of 10 or more people as much as possible, including public places with lots of people and large gatherings where there will be close contact with others. People at higher risk include:
- People 60 and older
- People with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes
- People who have weakened immune systems
- People who are pregnant
- Workplaces should enact measures that allow people who can work from home to do so. Taking these measures can help reduce the number of workers who come into contact with COVID-19 and help minimize absenteeism due to illness
- If you can feasibly avoid bringing large groups of people together, consider postponing events and gatherings.
- Public Health is not recommending closing schools at this time. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19, Public Health will work with the school and the district to determine the best measures including potential closure of the school.
- All people should not go out when they are sick.
- Avoid visiting hospitals, long term care facilities, or nursing homes to the extent possible. If you need to go, limit your time there and keep six feet away from patients.
More detail on these measures will be available at www.kingcounty.gov/covid Kristen Jones, Ed.D. (she/her/hers) Acting President 425-564-2260 3000 Landerholm Circle SE Bellevue, WA 98007 kristen.jones@bellevuecollege.edu
Hi Bellevue College Students, Here are a few important notes regarding this past week’s events around COVID-19. Please note we have no known confirmed cases of COVID-19 among our students, faculty, or staff. We do want to thank you for your patience as we move forward in these uncertain times. Classes: Most classes have moved online. All students should check BC email and Canvas for specific class instructions and exceptions. The decision to transition the format of classes mid-quarter was not made lightly; if it could have been avoided, please know that we would have done so. We appreciate that it is extremely challenging and thank you for doing what you can to keep participating in your course, while also staying safe. In addition, we will depend on support from E-Learning, ITS, Disability Resource Center, and others to help ensure that we can address concerns of technology, accommodations and student access. College Offices: College offices are open for business. Offices will be working as normal and some will be working with increased on-line presence. Please check the office’s website to see if services have changed. As many of you prepare for logging online for your courses in the coming days and weeks, we want to make sure you are aware of the technological resources available to help you stay connected to the campus:
- Microsoft Teams– allows for chat, video conferencing, file sharing and more. All Bellevue College students currently have access to Teams. Please visit these Knowledge Base articles (KB) for training and information:
- Teams Quick Start Guide: Videos on getting started with Teams
- Setting up Meetings with Teams: Setting up and joining a meeting in Teams
- Information for Students: To help students get started on Teams
- Microsoft Office – The college has provided licensing for all current students to install Office 2019 on their personal devices – the followinglink details the installation process:
- Microsoft Office Installation: Directions on installing Microsoft Office on personal computers
Please contact the Bellevue College ITS Service Desk at (425) 564-4357 (HELP) if you have questions.
Additional Thoughts and Clarifications:
- Campus is “open” in the coming weeks meaning that buildings will be open and available to you. However, we do ask that no more than 10 people congregate at a time, meaning if you are in a small space,we urge you to find a larger space to meet. Clubs and organizations should work with the Student Programs Office to determine next steps regarding meetings.
- If you have questions, reach out to us. If you are concerned about your health or someone else’s health, please submit a CARE Team Report. A report allows us to follow up with folks individually. We are working with the college’s FLU Team (experts collaborating from across the college) in response to this ongoing situation.
- Spring Quarter is still moving forward. There is still time to register and get your classes in order before Spring term. Take the time to do so now. Your campus leadership team called the President’s Cabinet is working to determine next steps for the college. You will be informed about changes, if they occur.
Thank you all for your understanding and hard work during these uncertain times, Dr. B, Student Affairs Rob, Academic Affairs Dennis, Administrative Services Rodger, ITS Mike, Your favorite Dean, Student Affairs Numerous other folks that are working hard behind the scene for you
Dear BC Community, Bellevue College continues to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and will share information as it becomes available, including updated guidance to the campus. This is an emerging, quickly evolving situation, and we’re communicating as much as we can, as soon as we can. Thank you for your patience! There are no changes at this time to the guidance provided by Dr. Jones in her March 5th email to faculty, students and staff. You can check your BC official email for updates or visit the Flu Team website where we are now posting all COVID-19 related campus-wide emails. It is important to reiterate that campus offices will remain open for business (hours may be adjusted due to staffing availability). As our classes move online, daily operations and customer service sections will remain open and continue to serve our students, staff and community. Students are expected to continue to monitor BC Email and course Canvas sites to complete their courses for the quarter. Faculty are working hard to ensure students can complete their studies this quarter through alternate means, but please be patient with them as it takes time to make these adjustments. Please continue to report issues related to possible COVID-19 exposure to the CARE Team using Report Concerns.
Why is BC moving classes online and encouraging staff to telecommute?
As of the writing of this email, we are not aware of any member of the Bellevue College community who has a confirmed case of COVID-19. The college’s decision to start moving classes online and allow more employees to telecommute was made out of an abundance of caution and is in line with recommendations from health agencies, the governor’s office and other colleges in the region.
What about travel?
This section provides guidance on College related travel (e.g. education conferences, study abroad, athletic events, state-wide meetings); the College is NOT providing guidance on personal travel. Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance: CDC recommends avoiding non-essential travel to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy. Additionally, they recommend older adults or those who have chronic medical conditions consider postponing travel to Japan and that all travelers should practice usual precautions when travelling to Hong Kong. The Flu Team has the following recommendations: Trips outside Washington State: as of now, the College is not limiting out-of-state travel to countries or areas that are not on the CDC and State Department risk list; however, that may change quickly, depending upon guidance from health officials. Out of state trips will be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis. We recommend organizations wait for approval to purchase airline tickets in case guidance changes. Trips inside Washington State: The Flu Team recommends limiting travel to large gatherings (i.e., meetings and conferences of more than 10 people). For the next three weeks, if a larger state organization, such as NWAC or SBCTC, chooses to hold an event, no college staff member or student will be required to attend if they are concerned about COVID-19. For situations where groups are travelling to events or meetings, we recommend limiting the number of passengers per vehicle to avoid close contact.
Bias Concerns
It is important to note that people are NOT at risk because of their race, nationality, or ethnicity. Having Chinese ancestry—or any other ancestry—does not place a person at higher risk for COVID-19. You can help keep our campus safe and inclusive for everyone by sharing accurate information with your fellow community members. To report a bias incident, please fill out at a report at www.bellevuecollege.edu/about-us/report-concerns. We recognize the physical and emotional effort that all of you, employees and students alike, are contributing to creating a safe environment for our community. We thank you immensely and ask that you please be patient with each other as we work together through the end of Winter Quarter. Dennis D. Curran Vice President of Administrative Services Bellevue College, K100G Dennis.Curran@bellevevuecollege.edu 425-564-2446
College offices are open for business. Offices will be working as normal and some will be working with increased online presence. Please check the office’s website to see if services have changed and note that hours may need to be updated on a daily basis so check them often. Bookstore: Monday-Thursday 10am – 4pm; Friday Closed Library: Reduced Hours March 6 through March 20: Monday-Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday: Closed Drop-in Computer Labs (D101 & N250): Open
- N250: Monday-Thursday 7am-9:30pm; Friday 7am-7pm; Saturday-Sunday 9am-6pm
- D101: Monday-Thursday 7am-9:30pm; Friday 7am-7pm; Saturday-Sunday Closed
- Hours can be referenced at the following address: Student Computer Labs & Printing Kiosks
Academic Success Center: Open Online tutoring is also available at Academic Success Center Monday-Thursday: 8 m-8pm, Friday: 8am-3:30pm, Saturday and Sunday: 11am-4pm Reading Lab: Closed All Reading Lab Workshops for the rest of Winter 2020 have been cancelled. Contact us at readinglab@bellevuecollege.edu if you need more information. Housing: Open Housing Front Desk Monday – Friday 8am to 8pm; Sat –Sun Noon to 8pm Food Services:
- Main Cafeteria: Closed
- Housing Pizza Kitchen: Open
- Monday – Friday 8am – 8 pm
- C Building Coffee Shop: Open
- Monday – Thursday 7am-8pm
- Friday 7am – 2:45pm
- T Building Coffee Shop: Open through March 13th
- Monday – Thursday 7am-5pm
- Friday 7am – 2:45pm
- R Building Coffee Shop: Closed
- Food Pantry: Open
- Located by Student Programs, 2nd floor of C Building
Here are a few important notes regarding this week’s events around COVID-19. We do want to thank you for your patience as we move forward in these uncertain times. We recognize the physical and emotional effort that all of you, employees and students alike, are contributing to creating a safe environment for our community. We thank you immensely and ask that you please be patient with each other as we work through the end of Winter Quarter 2020. Classes: BC classes have moved online. All students are expected to check BC email and Canvas for specific class instructions and exceptions, and to continue to participate in their classes for the remainder of the quarter. Faculty are working hard to assure that you can complete your studies this quarter through alternate means, but please be patient with them while they make this possible. In addition, we will depend on support from several departments, listed below, to help ensure that we can address concerns of technology, accommodations and student access. E-Learning: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/elearning/ ITS: https://bellevuecollege.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2044/Portal/Home/ Disability Resource Center: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc/ Library: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/lmc/ In the event you have difficultly access your online course you should contact the Bellevue College ITS Service Desk at (425) 564-4357 (HELP). If you have questions about an event, meeting or something else, please contact your instructor for further information or go on our website at: www.bellevuecollege.edu and search for the department you are seeking. You may also check out our new service below: NEW SERVICE: We will be offering ONLINE CHAT with our BC Ambassadors (from the Welcome Center) from 8 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday, Fridays from 8am – 5 pm, click here to access it –> https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/admissions/ from March 9 – March 27
RESOURCES: Technology Resources: As many of you are logging online for your courses in the coming days and weeks, we want to make sure you are aware of the technological resources available to help you stay connected to the campus: Microsoft Teams – allows for chat, video conferencing, file sharing and more. All Bellevue College students currently have access to Teams. Please visit these Knowledge Base articles (KB) for training and information:
- Teams Quick Start Guide: Videos on getting started with Teams
- Setting up Meetings with Teams: Setting up and joining a meeting in Teams
- Information for Students: To help students get started on Teams
Microsoft Office – The college has provided licensing for all current students to install Office 2019 on their personal devices – the following link details the installation process:
Please contact the Bellevue College ITS Service Desk at (425) 564-4357 (HELP) if you have questions. Financial Support for Quarantined Students: Students who are quarantined for coronavirus exposure may face immediate financial challenges that could impact their ability to complete the final days of the Winter 2020 term. To assist students in quarantine, Bellevue College Foundation is making one-time emergency awards to qualifying students of up to $240.00 based on remaining instruction and testing days. Aid is to help with medications and/or food. Total aid is limited. To be eligible, students must:
- Document being quarantined on advice of a medical or public health professional
- Be registered for:
- 10 credits or more for WTR20
- in a degree or certificate program in good academic standing
- have eligibility for financial aid
- Apply by March 16, 2020 with a Foundation COVID-19 STUDENT ASSISTANCE application form with documentation of quarantine to StudentSNIntake@bellevuecollege.edu
Applications will be screened for eligibility. If approved, the Foundation will mail the funds directly to the student. An application is attached to this e-mail and may be shared with impacted students. (Applications and information about the Staff & Faculty Safety Net are available from the union presidents and also from Human Resources.) Bias Concerns It is important to note that people are NOT at risk because of their race, nationality, or ethnicity. Having Chinese ancestry—or any other ancestry—does not place a person at higher risk for COVID-19. You can help keep our campus safe and inclusive for everyone by sharing accurate information with your fellow community members. To report a bias incident, please fill out at a report at www.bellevuecollege.edu/about-us/report-concerns. For downloadable posters about anti-sigma created by King County Public Health Department please visit this site, https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus/anti-stigma.aspx Additional Thoughts and Clarifications: 1. Campus is “open” in the coming weeks meaning that most buildings will be open and available to you. However, we do ask that no more than 10 people congregate at a time (i.e. social distancing), meaning if you are in a small space, we urge you to find a larger space to meet. Clubs and organizations should work with the Student Programs Office (https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/stupro/) to determine next steps regarding meetings. 2. If you have questions, reach out to us. If you are concerned about your health or someone else’s health, please submit a CARE Team Report: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/about-us/report-concerns/. A report allows us to follow up with folks individually. We are working with the college’s FLU Team (experts collaborating from across the college) in response to this ongoing situation. 3. Spring Quarter is still moving forward. There is still time to register and get your classes in order before Spring term. Take the time to do so now. Your campus leadership team called the President’s Cabinet is working to determine next steps for the college. You will be informed about changes, if they occur. For information about COVID-19 in the area, please check out the King County Public Health website: https://kingcounty.gov./covid. You can sign up for free alerts on their website. You can also check your BC official email for updates or visit the Flu Team website (https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/publicsafety/flu/) where we are posting all COVID-19 related campus-wide emails. Thank you all for your understanding and hard work during these uncertain times, Dr. B, AVP Student Affairs Rob, AVP Academic Affairs Dennis, VP Administrative Services Rodger, VP ITS Numerous other folks, too many to mention that are working hard behind the scenes
Greetings campus, The end of Winter Quarter is arriving quickly and we recognize there is a lot of concern about yesterday’s announcements from the State of Washington and the World Health Organization. BC has a dedicated team meeting daily to monitor developments and respond swiftly. The key is to remain calm and follow the guidance from health authorities. There is a lot to take in, so please read this email carefully to understand the latest updates. Summary of Governor Inslee’s Press Conference On March 10, 2020, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee and Public Health – Seattle & King County announced new measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. Key points include: · Events with more than 250 attendees are prohibited. · Events with fewer than 250 attendees are prohibited unless event organizers take steps to minimize risk. Specifically, organizers of events of fewer than 250 people must ensure that: · Older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions that are at increased risk of serious COVID-19 are not required to attend; · Social distancing recommendations (i.e., limit contact of people within 6 feet from each other for 10 minutes or longer) are met; · Employees are self-screening for coronavirus symptoms each day and excluded if symptomatic; · Access to proper hand hygiene and sanitation is provided; · Proper environmental cleaning guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are followed. What does this mean to our daily operations? Employees and supervisors: · Maximize telework; we recognize some people need to come to work. Those who do should practice social distancing and self-screening (see below for self-screening guidance). Conduct meetings on-line. · Supervisors of customer service functions that want to close should get approval from their respective VP/AVP and, if approved, notify Dennis Curran so we can post the updated hours or closure info on the Flu Team site. · Employees should “self-assess” for symptoms before they come to work. If they have symptoms, they should contact their supervisor BEFORE coming to work and consider a self-quarantine. · Employees should ask students, contractors and visitors if they are exhibiting any symptoms of the virus and, if they are, ask them to leave campus and follow the guidance of health officials. · Supervisors should ask their employees upon arrival to work if they “self-assessed ” and if they have symptoms, they should be encouraged to follow the guidance of health officials. · Employees in a high-risk group should not come to campus. · Public Safety and student programs will post the attached notice on building exteriors. Students, contractors and visitors: · Please stay home and access services on-line, as much as possible. If you are exhibiting any symptoms or are in a high-risk group, do not come to campus. Contact your health care provider and follow the guidance of health officials. · Students: contact your instructors should you have any questions. Campus Cleaning During the next few weeks, our custodial team will deep clean and sanitize the entire campus. “Sanitizing” includes the following: · Offices: cleaning doors, door jams, doorknobs and light switches. Emptying trash and vacuuming. · Classrooms: cleaning tables, chairs, light switches, doors, door jams, doorknobs, podiums, keyboards, and whiteboards. Emptying trash, cleaning and disinfecting floors and vacuum carpets. · Hallways: cleaning railings, floors, furniture, doors, door jams and doorknobs. Emptying trash. · Bathrooms: cleaning doors, door jams, doorknobs, floors, stalls, toilets, sinks, mirrors, partitions and light switches. Emptying trash. In order to best serve the needs of the campus and to ensure we maximize cleaning efforts, we will enact the following sanitation plan: We will close one building at a time, deep clean and sanitize it, and then reopen public areas that are currently still open. Most buildings will close for about a day and a half; during the closure, access will be restricted only to custodial personnel. Employees who work in the buildings that are closed should work with their supervisors to determine their options. They include: · Finding an alternate work location · Working remotely · Taking leave Supervisors, with the approval of their respective VP/AVP, may shut down operations for the time period the building is closed for cleaning. Should they choose to do so, then suspended operations rules will apply for the section(s) that close. Please notify me at dennis.curran@bellevuecollege.edu ASAP if there is a decision to close an office. Schedule: · L Building: closes 3/13 at 3 p.m.; reopens 3/14 no later than (NLT) 10 a.m. · N Building: closes 3/16 at 3 p.m.; reopens 3/18 no later than (NLT) 6 a.m. · E Building: closes 3/18 at 3 p.m.; reopens 3/20 no later than (NLT) 6 a.m. · R Building: closes 3/23 at 3 p.m.; reopens 3/25 no later than (NLT) 6 a.m. · S Building: closes 3/25 at 3 p.m.; reopens 3/27 no later than (NLT) 6 a.m. · T Building: closes 3/30 at 3 p.m.; reopens 4/1 no later than (NLT) 6 a.m. · A, B, C and D Buildings: TBD, based on hiring additional help G, H and Q buildings will continue to be cleaned and sanitized daily. Building Security Due to classes moving online, Public Safety will begin locking most classrooms for the remainder of Winter Quarter 2020 (the exception is the T Building, where small, in-person classes are continuing). Staff/faculty may contact Public Safety to request access to a classroom. During the week, all exterior doors will be secured at 6 p.m., except for C Building, which will be secured at 8 p.m. and T Building, which will be secured at 9:30 p.m. Spring Quarter The Flu Team is discussing options for Spring Quarter and we anticipate a decision soon about the start date and teaching modalities. Given the recent announcements, it seems likely we will need to start the quarter online. Faculty should be proactive and plan for an online start – we recognize you need time to plan so we will communicate an official decision as soon as possible. We will continue to follow public health guidance as we make decisions and provide guidance to the college. Website Updates The Flu Team website is updated on a near daily basis. Recent additions include a catalogue of all college-wide COVID 19 email communications, a list of Flu Team members, and a list of offices that have changed or reduced hours due to the reduced number of people on campus. Report Bias It is important to note that people are NOT at risk because of their race, nationality, or ethnicity. Having Chinese ancestry – or any other ancestry – does not place a person at higher risk for COVID19. You can help keep our campus safe and inclusive for everyone by sharing accurate information with your fellow community members. If you or someone you know witnesses or feels they have experienced bias, please use Report a Concern to let us know. For emotional support, students can contact our Counseling Center which is located on the second floor of the B Building, or by phone at (425) 564-5747. Faculty and staff can contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455 at any time (24/7). Stay Healthy We encourage you to continue to take care of your health during this flu and cold season. Remember that the best thing you can do is regularly wash your hands with soap and water for 30 seconds and stay home if you are ill. Dennis D. Curran Vice President of Administrative Services Bellevue College, K100G Dennis.curran@bellevevuecollege.edu 425-564-2446
Hello, As of Monday, March 16th, the Office of Human Resources (HR) will have reduced office coverage as we implement remote work options for all staff members. Due to this reduction of coverage, we encourage you to access HR services through phone, email, and/or Microsoft Teams. If you are unable to reach an HR employee by phone, please be sure to leave a detailed voicemail with a good time to return your call. If you need to provide a document to HR, you can scan and email the document to the appropriate HR staff member or you may drop off the document at the HR front desk in the designated secure box. The document box will be reviewed daily and addressed in the order received. To access HR staff regarding specific services, please refer to the HR Services and Contact Information found on our SharePoint site. You may also contact HR at hr@bellevuecollege.edu or 425-564-2274. We do not expect any disruption in service to our BC community.
Colleagues,
Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to adjust to federal and state guidance on COVID-19 preventative measures.
On Friday, March 13th, Governor Inslee announced a new set of restrictions, some of which impact higher education institutions across Washington state. Of primary importance, Governor Inslee directed that beginning Tuesday, March 17th, there will be no in-person courses taught through Friday, April 24, 2020. The only exceptions to this rule are labs and clinics, which can continue in-person if social distancing guidelines or clinical protocols are enforced.
Based on this announcement, the College is enacting a number of changes to our daily operations and to Spring Quarter. They are as follows:
- We are currently planning to begin the Spring Quarter a week later than scheduled, on April 8, 2020; however, this date needs to be bargained with the faculty union first, so we will notify everyone when we have an agreed upon date. We are also planning to have all classes taught online through April 24, 2020, with the exception of a limited number of labs and clinics, which must be approved for in-person teaching by the appropriate Dean and the AVP of Academic Affairs.
- The College is NOT closed as of the date of this message. General administrative functions (e.g., IT, HR, student affairs, administrative services, etc.) will operate on a restricted, scaled-down basis. All employees able to telework should do so, even if this means closing an office. Essential services will continue to operate on campus, per guidance from supervision. The list of essential services includes:
- Custodial
- Public Safety (Public Safety will remain open 24/7 and can be reached at (425) 466-9365)
- Maintenance
- Grounds (on an as needed basis)
- Mail and Warehouse services – mail and other deliveries will be received Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; mail delivery service will occur Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
- Payroll (on certain dates, to ensure they can process semi-monthly payroll for employees)
- Designated School Official (DSO) in International Education (on certain days to review and approve F-1 visa related requests)
- Effective Monday, March 23rd, the Early Learning Center (ELC) is closed and will tentatively reopen on Monday, April 27th.
- The cafeteria and all campus coffee shops will be closed until April 24th.
- Employees needing help with key pick-up and drop-off should email our locksmith, Calixto Quan, to arrange time to meet.
- The pizza kitchen will remain open for takeout only from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Fridays.
- On-campus housing will remain open.
- The bookstore will remain open for normal hours (M-TH 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.), but with minimum staffing. Students will be encouraged to order books online with free shipping.
- Functions such as HR, IT, public records, contracts, etc., will continue to stay open, but operate in a remote status. Employees needing assistance should contact the appropriate individual via email or office as follows:
- IT Service Desk:
- Submit a service ticket or chat with a technician online at https://bellevuecollege.teamdynamix.com/
- Email: servicedesk@bellevuecollege.edu
- Phone: 425-564-4357
- Physical visits will be by appointment only. No drop-in support without an appointment will be available.
- Current hours posted online at https://bellevuecollege.teamdynamix.com/
- HR:
- To access HR staff regarding specific services, please refer to the HR Services and Contact Information found on the HR SharePoint site.
- Email: hr@bellevuecollege.edu
- Phone: 425-564-2274
- IT Service Desk:
- For an updated list of services and their availability, check out the college COVID-19 site.
Guidance from the Washington State Department of Health
- What to do if you have a confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (PDF)
- What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) (PDF)
- What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (PDF)
Stay Informed
You can also stay informed by visiting the King County COVID-19 website, the Washington State Department of Health website, and by subscribing to the Public Health Insider blog. The Washington State Department of Health also established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, how the virus is spread, or what to do if you have symptoms, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.
Report Bias
It is important to note that people are NOT at risk because of their race, nationality, or ethnicity. Having Chinese ancestry – or any other ancestry – does not place a person at higher risk for COVID19. You can help keep our campus safe and inclusive for everyone by sharing accurate information with your fellow community members. If you or someone you know witnesses or feels they have experienced bias, please use Report a Concern to let us know.
For emotional support, students can contact our Counseling Center which is located on the second floor of the B Building, or by phone at (425) 564-5747. Faculty and staff can contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455 at any time (24/7).
Kristen Jones, Ed.D. (she/her/hers)
Acting President
425-564-2260
3000 Landerholm Circle SE Bellevue, WA 98007
Hi Students, Technology Resources As many of you are logging online for your courses in the coming days, we want to make sure you are aware of the technological resources available to help you stay connected to the campus: Microsoft Teams – allows for chat, video conferencing, file sharing and more. All Bellevue College students currently have access to Teams. Please visit these Knowledge Base articles (KB) for training and information: Teams Quick Start Guide: Videos on getting started with Teams Setting up Meetings with Teams: Setting up and joining a meeting in Teams Information for Students: To help students get started on Teams Microsoft Office – The college has provided licensing for all current students to install Office 2019 on their personal devices – the following link details the installation process: Microsoft Office Installation: Directions on installing Microsoft Office on personal computers If you log into Microsoft online, you do not need to download any product. Please contact the Bellevue College ITS Service Desk at (425) 564-4357 (HELP) if you have questions. Although we do not endorse this offer as a college, it is available to many students. See offer below for free internet and low cost computer. Comcast is offering an Internet Essentials. They provide 2 months of free internet (then $9.95 after the first 2 months) and Internet Essentials customers can purchase laptop computers for $149.99. More information is available through the program’s website at https://www.internetessentials.com/. We are working with several organizations, internally and externally for access to computers. If you are in need of a computer please reply to this email and we will do our best to connect you to resources. Dr. B __________________________________________________________ Brenda Ivelisse, Ph.D. | Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (she/her/hers/ella) 425-564-2206 3000 Landerholm Circle SE, B231B Bellevue, WA 98007 b.ivelisse@bellevuecollege.edu
Hello BC Students, Thank you so much for adapting to the sudden changes we’re all experiencing. While we’ve never gone through something like this before, one thing that won’t change is our dedication to educating and serving you – our students. Below are some important updates. Please read it through carefully – we hope that it will answer some of your immediate questions. Classes will begin on Wednesday, April 8. Classes will be delivered remotely for the spring quarter. Like many other colleges, we have made the decision to extend remote learning (e.g., online, synchronous, etc.) through the entire spring quarter, so that faculty and students can plan accordingly. There will be no on-campus class meetings allowed through at least April 26. Labs, resources, and offices will continue to provide services on-line. The campus will reassess the situation in late April and we will determine if some on-campus activity with social distancing will be allowed. April 16, May 15, and June 16, which were scheduled to be non-instructional days, will now be instructional days. This helps make up for losing the first five days of instruction of the quarter. Locations closed, services online. Computer labs, the library, and a host of other student-centered functions will close their physical location until at least April 24. Many services will be provided remotely. For example, The Academic Success Center (ASC) will host on-line tutoring “Ask a Librarian” is available on-line Advising appointments can now be scheduled online at: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/advising/ – submit a ticket and our team will respond! Live Chat with Enrollment Services and Outreach Staff available from 8am to 8pm M-Th, 8am to 5pm on Fri: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/ On-campus Housing remains open. Computer Labs. Computer labs are closing for break. Bookstore. Students can access the Bookstore online or by email. The Bookstore will accept spring term refunds from students through April 30. This will allow one week for refunds after re-opening the store. This extended date will also apply to winter term rental returns. Spring ORCA Card & Commuter Check Sales: Due to the COVID-19 response, Bellevue College student ORCA Card and Commuter Check sales for Spring quarter will be closed until in-person classes resume. The current sales date is April 27, which is subject to change. For information, please visit https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/location/bus/ Placement and Testing Services is providing service remotely. To find out your testing options please email: testing@bellevuecollege.edu from your BC EMAIL, include your BC SID# and full name. Please allow 3 business days for a response. For updates to the campus schedule, please visit: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/studentcentral/calendar/ Please keep checking your official BC email regularly. We’re doing our best to communicate as much as we can, as soon as we can. We appreciate how hard it is to deal sudden change while going to school too, and we will do everything in our power to ensure you can stay on track for your academic, and life goals. It’s a challenging time, but working together, we’ll get through it together. Dr. B
Greetings colleagues,
We are finally at the end of an extremely challenging winter quarter. I want to thank everyone at the college for their patience and perseverance in continuing to stay focused on students, managing the changes, and preparing for the challenges coming in the next several months.
The Flu Team, President’s Cabinet, and area leadership teams still meet daily and are focusing on changes and supports for spring quarter. We are poised to adapt to any new guidance or directives the president, governor, or county may issue. In the meantime, you are probably wondering what we’re planning for spring quarter! As of this afternoon, we confirmed that classes will begin on April 8. Here are additional details and a timeline for next quarter:
- Classes will resume on Wednesday, April 8.
- Classes will all be delivered remotely for the spring quarter. Like many other colleges, we have made the decision to extend remote learning (e.g., online, synchronous, etc.) through the entire spring quarter, so that faculty and students can plan accordingly.
- The first day of “instruction” for faculty will remain April 1 to provide an additional week to help faculty prepare and adapt for remote learning. The first week (April 1-7) will be considered instructional prep days.
- There will be no on-campus class meetings allowed through at least April 26. Labs, resources, and offices will remain closed to the public during this time (though offering services online as much as possible). Depending on the situation in late April, we will determine if some on-campus activity with social distancing will be allowed.
- Faculty Professional Development Day (April 16), College Issues Day (May 15), and Student Success Day (June 16), which were scheduled to be non-instructional days, will now be instructional days. This helps make up for losing the first five days of instruction of the quarter.
- Staff will continue to work remotely, at least through April 24, as much as possible. Employees who need to come to campus must:
- Notify their supervisor.
- In accordance with Governor Inslee’s directives, practice and enforce social distancing (six feet of separation between others), and perform a self-assessment before coming to campus—anyone who is sick or exhibiting symptoms should not come to campus.
- Ensure that all doors are securely locked upon exit.
- Remember that buildings A, B, C, and D and North Campus are closed this weekend for cleaning/disinfecting.
- Locations closed, services online. Computer labs, the library, and a host of other student-centered functions will close their physical location until at least until April 24. Many services will be provided remotely. For example, the Academic Success Center (ASC) will host online tutoring and “Ask a Librarian” is available online. Student Affairs is regularly communicating with students to inform them of the status of various offices/organizations and will provide information on resources to successfully navigate the spring quarter. The updates to students are also e-mailed to faculty and staff and posted on our flu website. On-campus housing remains open.
These are unprecedented times, and as we adapt to change, I want to recognize that this isn’t easy for any of us, personally and professionally. I know that working together we will get through this. Thank you for your courage, resilience, and dedication. Please reach out for emotional support as needed. We will continue to send updates as soon as more information becomes available.
Kristen Jones, Ed.D. (she/her/hers)
Acting President
425-564-2260
3000 Landerholm Circle SE
Bellevue, WA 98007
We were informed late Friday, March 20, that a Bellevue College student tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and is being treated while under quarantine. This is the first known positive test for someone in the BC community. The individual was last on campus (in a limited capacity) February 20, which is long past the time the virus is known to be able to survive. We have disinfected nearly every building since that time and enacted a number of measures to limit the spread of the virus on campus. At Bellevue College, we take the health of all members of the Bellevue College community seriously. We continue to follow the best practices for sanitation as outlined by the Public Health – Seattle & King County and remain committed to keeping open lines of communication while doing our best to ensure the privacy and safety of our students, faculty and staff. As a reminder, the best way to ensure the health of everyone on our campuses is to practice good hygiene including washing hands thoroughly, covering coughs and sneezes, practicing social distancing, working and studying from home, and not coming to campus at all when feeling sick. More information and resources can be found on the Bellevue College COVID-19 website. You can also stay informed by visiting the Public Health – Seattle King County website, the Washington State Department of Health website, and by subscribing to the Public Health Insider blog. Call Centers for Public Inquiries Public Health-Seattle & King County – 206-477-3977 For King County residents who believe they have been exposed to COVID-19, or for healthcare providers with COVID-19 questions. This helpline is open daily from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. and operators are able to connect with a third-party interpreter. Washington State Department of Health – 800-525-0127 and press # For general questions about how the virus is spread and what to do if you have symptoms. This helpline is open daily from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. We all have a role to play in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and we encourage everyone to stay informed through official Public Health channels. Please feel free to share this information with your friends, family and communities. By working together, we can help to “flatten the curve” and make sure that our community remains healthy and safe through this difficult time. NOTE: We are aware of Governor Inslee’s latest directive to shelter in place and will provide further information as soon as we understand better how it will affect higher education. Kristen Jones, Ed.D. Acting President Bellevue College 3000 Landerholm Circle SE Bellevue WA 98007 425-564-2260
Dear BC Community,
On Monday, March 23, Governor Inslee announced a new proclamation requiring Washington state residents to “ Stay Home, Stay Healthy,” except as needed for an essential activity or to maintain continuity of operations of essential critical infrastructure. The directive officially begins at midnight March 25 and lasts through midnight April 6.
The directive allows colleges to remain open (see page 10). Colleges are listed among several functions “…critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security.” This has several implications for Bellevue College:
- Nothing has changed since our last communication regarding the beginning of Spring Quarter 2020. Classes will be delivered remotely for the entire quarter which begins April 8.
- Bellevue College remains open for business, with every office and customer service section working remotely. As long as the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” directive is in effect, services will be delivered by phone, email, online, or chat (chat is available at the bottom of the BC website or as a popup on the right side of the page). However, the physical location of every office on campus will be closed until after the directive ends April 6.
- All external exits to buildings are closed and locked throughout the duration of the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” directive. With the exception of a few core functions, all employees should stay home, stay healthy, and not come to campus. Public Safety, IT, Payroll, Finance, Custodial, Maintenance, and Grounds will come on campus to perform critical job functions, as needed.
- Student housing remains open.
- Packages and mail will continue to be received and delivered with personal safety measures in place. Deliveries will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at this time
Official Travel
Until further notice, all travel for college-related business is cancelled. Employees having a critical need to travel for official college business must receive approval from their respective AVP/VP prior to traveling (an email with an approval statement from the AVP/VP can be attached to the travel requisition).
Again, thank you for adapting to so many changes, and we look forward to seeing you back on the “virtual” campus this spring.
Kristen Jones, Ed.D. (she/her/hers)
Acting President
Kristen.jones@bellevuecollege.edu
425-564-2260
Hello Students! We hope you and your loved ones are doing well and staying healthy! Below you can find important information: SPRING QUARTER is REMOTE LEARNING, meaning that classes will be held remotely for all Spring quarter. Added: Classes begin April 8. Check your BC email and Canvas to find out more specific information related to your classes. The last day for 100% Spring refunds is April 14, and the 50% refund deadline is April 28. For updated information about spring quarter deadlines, visit https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/studentcentral/calendar/. Campus offices will also be working remotely until May 4th. You should check office websites to determine the best way to contact office staff and receive services. Spring term textbooks are available to buy online through the BC Bookstore. Books will be shipped to students for free within the U.S. International rates please review the website. For online student services resources, please go to: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/services For COVID-19 student resources, please go to: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/publicsafety/covid-19-student-portal/ Dr. B, Rob, Dennis and Team Brenda Ivelisse Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (she/her/hers/ella) 3000 Landerholm Circle SE Bellevue, WA 98007
Colleagues, We are closing in on the beginning of classes for the Spring quarter of 2020 and wanted to provide a short update to the campus. We understand faculty and staff are working hard to prepare for the first day of classes, which begin April 8th. While this will be a challenging quarter, we’re confident the College is up to the challenge! Enrollments are coming in at a steady pace and as of today, we are only slightly down from last year’s numbers. Yesterday, April 2, 2020, Governor Inslee extended the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through 11:59 PM on May 4th. In the big picture, this extension doesn’t change much for Bellevue College based on our current posture, other than extending our remote operations from April 6th to May 4th. The College will continue operating almost entirely remotely and plans to offer instruction online for the entire quarter. As of now, we plan to start bringing staff back to campus on May 5th, but that could change if the Governor or President issue new guidance. We’ll continue to provide updates to the campus as necessary.Here’s an update on how the extended “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order impacts our services: Bellevue College remains open for business, with every office and customer service section working remotely. As long as the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” directive is in effect, services will be delivered by phone, email, online, or chat (chat is available at the bottom of the BC website or as a popup on the right side of the page). However, the physical location of every office on campus will be closed until after the directive ends May 4th. · Housing is open. · The Bookstore remains closed through May 4th. Books can be ordered online and will be shipped for free. Returns will be accepted through May 8th. · The Early Learning Center is closed through May 4th. · Cashiering is closed through May 4th. However, we are using on-line payments and have options for those who need to pay by cash, such as a drop-off lockbox or mail. In exceptional circumstances, the cashiers can make an appointment with those who need to meet face-to-face and get a receipt. For questions, please contact Jennifer.Carnahan@bellevuecollege.edu. · Packages and mail will continue to be received and delivered with personal safety measures in place. Deliveries will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. More information and resources can be found on the Bellevue College COVID-19 website. You can also stay informed by visiting the Public Health – Seattle King County website, the Washington State Department of Health website, and by subscribing to the Public Health Insider blog. Thanks for your continued support. Have a great weekend! Dennis D. Curran Vice President of Administrative Services Bellevue College, K100G Dennis.curran@bellevevuecollege.edu 425-564-2446
Good Afternoon BC Faculty and Staff;
The federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was enacted on March 18, 2020. It includes two different employee leave acts: Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA), which provides up to 80 hours of paid leave to qualifying employees who need leave for their own COVID-19 health related issues, to care for an individual with COVID-19 issues, or to care for a minor child due to a COVID-19 related school or child care closure, and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA), which provides qualifying employees up to twelve weeks of paid and unpaid leave to care for a minor child due to a COVID-19 related school or child care closure.
These acts are effective on April 1, 2020 and expire on December 31, 2020. Families-First-Coronavirus-Response-Act-P-FD-FF-E-0320
Please contact Benefit Services with any questions or to request an application at benefits@bellevuecollege.edu.
Regards,
Suzette
NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 protocol, I am working remotely.
Dear BC Community, Thanks everyone for adhering to Washington State’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” directive. Together, we’re protecting the health and safety of our community. Currently, the Stay Home directive is set to end at 11:59 p.m. on May 4th. Of course, that end date could be extended, and significant restrictions will continue to be in effect for weeks or months to come. With all of the uncertainty around the future, we wanted to provide an update on our preliminary plans for “dialing up” operations, share our thoughts on the upcoming Summer and Fall quarters, and provide information on student financial support made available through the CARES Act. Reopening the State In his press conference April 21, Governor Inslee indicated that reopening the state will be a gradual approach (more like a dial than an on/off switch), and that there is always the possibility that his directive may be extended, depending upon the circumstances. While we await details on what will be allowed on May 5th, our current plan is to continue operating a large portion of our services and instruction remotely through the Spring Quarter. A few services, such as maintenance and grounds, will likely return to campus, along with an increase in our custodial staff to help manage an increase of campus activity. We will also put measures into place on campus to ensure social distancing. A subgroup of the Flu team is working on a list of recommendations that will include things such as PPE, sneeze guards, signage and more. Information will be provided on these recommendations in the coming days. Returning to On-Ground Operations at Bellevue College Here’s a full rundown of what we anticipate over the next few weeks (this is 100% tentative and may be adjusted, depending on any guidance issued by the Governor): Phase 1 (tentatively starting May 5th pending the governor’s guidance)
- The limited number of employees/functions that were approved to be on campus during the Stay Home order will continue to work on campus
- An extremely limited number of service functions will return to campus (details will be provided to those areas, pending governor’s guidance)
- Early Learning Center is planning to reopen, but that can change any time depending upon guidance from the governor
- We may increase the number of custodians on campus to ensure a safe, clean environment
- Housing will continue to be open
- The cafeteria, coffee shops and pizza kitchen will remain closed
As always, employees who are “High Risk” or do not feel safe coming to campus can work with Human Resources to determine what options are available. Please contact benefits@bellevuecollege.edu for questions. Additionally, it’s expected that some sort of protective measures will be in place to inhibit the spread of the virus during all phases. Phase 2 (date TBD):
- All on-campus functions in Phase 1 will continue
- A limited number of administrative and service functions will return to campus
- The C Building coffee shop will open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Mon.- Thurs., with an expanded menu offering
- Phase 3 (date TBD):
- All on-campus functions in Phase 1 and 2 will continue
- All administrative and service functions will return to campus
Summer Quarter
- While a few details are still being worked out, the College will continue to offer instruction remotely for the entire Summer Quarter. Deans are working with program chairs and faculty to help reflect this in the Summer Course Schedule (which will be available to students on May 1, followed by continuing student registration beginning May 11).
Fall Quarter
- Registration for Fall will begin as scheduled in conjunction with Summer registration (May 11). The schedule for Fall will be published as planned, however, it will contain a banner that states all Fall courses could be switched to a remote modality dependent on public health/COVID-19 guidelines. A tentative decision on the status of Fall classes will be made by the end of the quarter, but may still be subject to change based on the most current available data.
- Current information and models suggest that we should all plan for some restrictions to still be in place in the Fall, so we should prepare for continued impact to instruction for at least the rest of the calendar year.
Funding Available to Students
- On April 23, we sent current spring term students an email about funding being available to a majority of students. We also sent an email to “All BC Official” to notify all staff and faculty about this funding, the CARES Act Emergency Relief Funds. These are direct cash grants to students. We ask that departments post the following weblink on their websites, as well as send a personal email to students encouraging them to apply: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/studentcentral/cares-act/
- As of this morning (April 24), we have received 600+ applications and funding should begin to be dispersed early next week.
- The highest needs students have identified have been food insecurity and basic technology. https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/studentcentral/cares-act/
- Average requests have been around $750.
- We are committed to sharing the total awarded, number of students served, and the average amount awarded with all staff and faculty.
Bias Concerns As we navigate these uncertain and challenging times together, we need to be mindful about everyone’s health and safety. We can help keep our community safe and inclusive for everyone by sharing accurate information and not tolerating biased behaviors, stereotyping and discrimination. To report a bias incident, please fill out a report at www.bellevuecollege.edu/about-us/report-concerns. For more “anti-racism and COVID-19” information, please go here. We will continue to follow the Governor’s guidance to facilitate a safe start with measured steps that protects our community’s health and safety. And we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for all you’re doing to support each other and our students. Kristen Jones, Ed.D. (she/her/hers) Acting President kristen.jones@bellevuecollege.edu 425-564-2260
Colleagues, On Monday, May 4th, Governor Inslee extended the Stay Home, Stay Healthy directive through May 31st. He also announced a Safe Start plan for gradually re-opening the state in phases with adequate social distancing measures and health standards in place. The duration of each phase is expected to be a minimum of three weeks each. Data and metrics will determine when the state can move from one phase to another. Along with the SBCTC, we are seeking guidance on which phase will include higher education. However, we are certain that any authority to open the college will still include a significant portion of our students, staff, and faculty continuing to take classes remotely or telework. This conforms with our plans for Summer Quarter, in which classes will continue to be held remotely. The governor approved a select group of small healthcare programs and courses that may offer some hands-on instruction under very strict guidelines. As a part of this measure, the college must strictly comply with requirements set by the state to limit the spread of COVID-19. We are currently developing a plan to implement measures over the next few days and weeks and will share that plan upon completion. As we progress through the phases, we still want to ensure that employees who are “High Risk” or do not feel safe coming to campus can work with Human Resources to determine what options are available. Please contact benefits@bellevuecollege.edu if you have questions. Based on guidance from the state, appropriate protective measures will be put in place to inhibit the spread of the virus during all phases. Our Operations staff are working with campus offices to identify needs and implement a coordinated response for supplies and cleaning. None of this is easy on any level, and we should be prepared for many of these protective measures to be in place for some time. But our collective efforts are flattening the curve and saving lives. Dennis D. Curran Vice President of Administrative Services Bellevue College, K100G Dennis.curran@bellevevuecollege.edu 425-564-2446
Greetings BC Students, As we near the end of the Spring quarter, we wanted to provide an update on COVID-19 along with information on the status of Fall Quarter. While Spring Quarter has been a challenge, the College worked hard to ensure you were able to continue your education, even in the midst of a global health crisis. The Governor’s “Stay Home Stay Safe” order expired June 1, so we are now following his “Safe Start” phase-in plan. As of today, King County is still in Phase 1 and could be so for the foreseeable future. That means most of the College will continue to provide instruction remotely, at least until King County enters Phases 2 and 3. Once we enter those phases, we expect a gradual return to campus, rather than happening all at once. We understand the uncertainty of the situation is stressful and appreciate your patience and understanding as the College navigates this crisis. After much deliberation, we have decided that Fall Quarter instruction will be taught remotely. There is simply too much uncertainty with COVID-19 to commit, at least at this time, to bringing classes back to campus. Most Student Affairs departments remain open and continue serving our students remotely during the quarter break and throughout the summer. Effective June 22, 2020, office hours will change to the summer operation hours until September 6. Check each department’s website for more details. We look forward to welcoming you back in the fall, and for those graduating this quarter, congratulations! What a tremendous achievement, and inspiration, for students working on their degree. It’s not easy, but we will get through this, together. Dr. B
Greetings Colleagues, As we near the end of Spring Quarter, it’s time to provide an update on where the College is in relation to COVID-19, along with the status of Fall Quarter. While Spring Quarter has been a challenge, we all worked together to ensure our students were able to continue their education, even during a huge health crisis. We also successfully returned a few classes to on-campus instruction. The Governor’s “Stay Home Stay Safe” order expired June 1, so we are now following his “Safe Start” phase-in plan. As of today, King County is still in Phase 1 and could be so for at least a couple more weeks. That means most of us will continue to provide instruction and work remotely, at least until King County enters Phases 2 and 3. Once we enter those phases, we expect a gradual return to campus, but that will take place over several weeks and maybe even months, rather than happening all at once. The Governor also approved new guidance on reopening higher education. The College will follow this closely once the county moves into Phase 2. We understand the uncertainty of the situation is stressful and appreciate your patience and understanding as the College navigates this crisis. After much deliberation, we decided that Fall Quarter instruction will be taught remotely. There is simply too much uncertainty with COVID-19 to commit, at least currently, to bringing a large number of classes back to campus. While there may be some opportunity for a limited number of classes to be taught on campus during the fall (such as continuing to have approved healthcare classes on campus), those decisions will have to be made as we get closer to September. For now, faculty should plan to teach most classes remotely. Thank you for all you are doing to support our students and each other. Kristen Jones, Ed.D. (she/her/hers) Acting President kristen.jones@bellevuecollege.edu 425-564-2260
Dear BC Community,
The purpose of this email is to notify all BC employees that beginning today, June 8, 2020, per guidance from the Governor, all employees will be required to wear a cloth facial covering or face mask while on campus. Exceptions to this rule include when working alone in an office (without interactions with others) or when in a vehicle. The College will provide masks for employees as long as we are required by the State to wear a mask while working on campus. We have currently filled all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requests from departments through the end of June. Campus Operations will soon put out a call for a second order of PPE to cover July 1—August 31, 2020. If exposure dictates a higher level of protection, appropriate masks will be provided. The state Department of Labor & Industries’ Coronavirus Facial Covering and Mask Requirements or Which Mask for Which Task guide has additional details on the wearing of masks, but most of our employees only need to wear a basic cloth mask. Any employee needing a reasonable accommodation for this new workplace requirement will need to contact Human Resources at hr@bellevuecollege.edu. Employees who work with hearing impaired individuals or who rely on facial cues during communication may request a clear window facial mask or covering from Campus Operations. A good resource for those employees who would like to make their own clear window facial mask, can be found HERE. There has been an increase in racial profiling across the country toward individuals of color who are wearing masks. Specifically, recent reports show a rise in bias against Black males who are wearing masks to protect themselves and others against the spread of COVID-19. Employee safety is of utmost concern and we are committed to a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination. Please support your fellow employees. To report a bias incident, please fill out a report at http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/about-us/report-concerns. For more “anti-racism and COVID-19” information, please go here. Thank you for doing your part to keep yourself and others healthy. Kristen Jones, Ed.D. (she/her/hers) Acting President kristen.jones@bellevuecollege.edu 425-564-2260
Dear Colleagues,
A lot has happened since the last COVID-19 communication on June 8, so we wanted to provide an update on new developments, as well as where we are headed in the next few weeks and months. On June 19, 2020, King County was approved to move into Phase 2. While this instituted several changes for businesses within the county, higher ed was largely unaffected because the guidance for higher ed moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2 doesn’t change much.
We do have the ability to offer a few more classes on campus if they are related to a critical work programs (e.g. nursing), but that won’t impact the majority of our courses which will continue to be taught remotely. The Phase 2 guidance (see paragraph #25) does have one important stipulation: any employee or student coming to Washington from any state that is non-contiguous to Washington must self-quarantine for 14 days before working or attending class on campus. Please keep this in mind if you plan on travelling to any area other than Oregon or Idaho while King County is still in Phase 2.
Governor Inslee also issued a new proclamation on June 24, 2020 specifically geared toward the reopening of higher ed. This proclamation goes into effect on August 1st and allows colleges to expand activities on campus, provided we follow a number of requirements. Among other things, we’ll have to comply with all federal, state and local public health requirements, use appropriate PPE and follow six-foot social distancing rules. We still anticipate that most classes for Fall Quarter will be taught remotely. Since the proclamation was only recently announced, we’re still examining how it intersects with Phase 2 and Phase 3 guidance. In addition, we are not yet clear on how the increase in COVID cases in King County and across the state that was reported over the weekend will impact our plans. More information will be forthcoming. We also wanted to share some important updates:
- Outdoor recreation rentals will resume in the near future. Renters will need to keep groups down to a maximum of five participants and follow a number of other guidelines. The BC athletic department is drafting guidelines for usage of the soccer and baseball fields.
- The Food Lifeline program will continue on campus every Friday through the month of July.
- As we are able, we will very slowly open up the campus to rentals, starting with an organization that wants to hold vehicle-based services in one of our parking lots. As with all other programs, they’ll need to comply with Phase 2 guidelines.
- For additional information, check out the Flu Team website.
Thank you again for your patience and flexibility. It’s been a long haul and we still have a way to go, but the steps we’re taking are making a difference in the health and safety of our campus and our community.
Dennis D. Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
Bellevue College, K100G
Dennis.curran@bellevevuecollege.edu
425-564-2446
Dear Colleagues,
Soon, BC employees and students will be required to complete a health assessment questionnaire each day they come to campus (we are also working on a process for visitors, to be announced soon). To protect privacy and make the process simple, the Flu Team and IT developed a short online health assessment on our website at www.bellevuecollege.edu/campuscheckin. It takes just a couple minutes to complete. The online health assessment will replace the current practice of contacting Public Safety, but employees will still need to obtain permission from their supervisor before coming in.
Timeline
Beginning August 17th, 2020, anyone entering the T Building, for any reason, must complete the assessment prior to entering the building.
Beginning September 1st, 2020, all employees and students are required to complete the online health assessment questionnaire every day they come to campus. Best practice is to complete the questionnaire prior to coming to campus; those who do not have access to the internet can complete it as soon as they arrive on campus by using a college computer. The attached document provides instructions on how to translate the questionnaire to a different language.
Assessment Information
The assessment captures information such as the date, approximate times, and specific location (buildings and rooms) of your visit. This will be provided to Public Safety and the custodial team so they can secure and disinfect our buildings each day (NOTE: Public Safety and custodial teams will not be provided any health information, only the date and location visited).
The health screening questionnaire contains a list of potential COVID-19 symptoms. Upon finishing the questionnaire and clicking the “Submit” button, you will receive instructions on what to do, based upon the answers provided and how those answers intersect with guidance from state and local health authorities. Health response data will be kept confidential. Employee responses will be stored in a secure database accessible only by Human Resources staff. Supervisors will be able to see if an employee completed a daily health assessment, but supervisors will not be able to see answers to the specific health questions.
Student responses will be similarly stored in a secure database accessible only by the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and a Co-Chair of the CARE Team. Instructors will be able to see if a student completed a daily health assessment, but instructors will not be able to see answers to the specific health questions.
Additional Information In the next few days, we will publish a list of FAQs to provide more detailed information on the workflow and the role that supervisors and instructors play in this process. Masks As a reminder, everyone on campus is required to wear a mask from the moment they step on campus until they leave.
The only exception is when working alone or through an approved reasonable accommodation with HR. The state defines “working alone” as: “Someone is considered to be working alone when they’re isolated from interaction with other people and have little or no expectation of in-person interruption.” Examples of “working alone” can be found on the state page that explains mask requirements.
The College is providing masks for employees who need to work on campus. If you have questions about where to get a mask, please contact your supervisor.
Thank you for helping to keep our campus community safe.
Dennis D. Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
Bellevue College, K100G
Dennis.curran@bellevevuecollege.edu
425-564-2446
This COVID-19 update contains information and resources so you can be informed and stay safe. We’re all in this together — 6 feet apart! Top 4 ‘Need to Know’
- Coming to campus? Make sure to get permission from your instructor/supervisor in advance, and fill out our online assessment form. >> More info
- Thinking about conducting an activity on campus? Fill out an activity proposal form first (only faculty/staff can submit). Remember this form is for activities, not individual visits to campus. Employees should speak with their supervisor regarding individual campus visits. >> More info
- Cases of COVID-19 are increasing in King County. What should you do if you or someone you know in our BC community tests positive for COVID-19 and might have been on campus? We have an online reporting form. Info is kept confidential. >> More info
- Save the date! BC is planning a drive-thru flu shot clinic on Friday, Nov. 6 that will be open to BC faculty, staff and students. >> More info
What’s Open at BC
- The Early Learning Center
- Student Housing (for residents)
Stay Healthy
- These are challenging times for everyone, and your mental health is important. BC has great resources that can help:
- Counseling Center (students): BC counselors are available for online appointments.
- Employee Assistance Program (faculty/staff): A free, confidential program created to promote the health, safety and well-being of public employees.
Financial Help
- The UWKC Benefits Hub at Bellevue College is offering emergency funds through the @edquityapp to help bring emergency grants and resources to students experiencing a financial crisis. Students enrolled in 6 credits or more (or a degree seeking program) at BC who need emergency aid, such as funding for housing or food, can apply today. >> Download the Edquity app (or sign up online).
COVID-19 News
- Public Health Insider Blog: Supporting Others in a Mental Health Crisis
- CDC: Guidance for Holiday Celebrations and Travel
- Seattle Times: Fall surge of COVID-19 is hitting Washington, state officials warn
Official State Info New information and follow-up guidance about COVID-19 is continually evolving. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
- Washington State Department of Health Coronavirus
- Public Health Seattle and King County Coronavirus Disease
- Public Health Seattle and King County Health Blog
Stay well, The Flu Team
This COVID-19 update contains information and resources so you can be informed and stay safe. We’re all in this together — six feet apart! Top 4 “Need to Know”
- COVID-19 cases are spiking nationwide, and Washington has reported more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases every day since Nov. 4. Wearing a mask is critical to stay well and keep our community healthy. Learn more about masks on the CDC website. >> More info
- Need a COVID-19 test or know someone who does? Public Health – Seattle & King County has launched new free testing sites. They have a lot of info. about other free resources too, in multiple languages. Please share! >> More info
- Coming to campus? Make sure to get permission from your instructor/supervisor in advance, and fill out our campus check-in form. >> More info
- Thinking about conducting an activity on campus? Fill out an activity proposal form first (only faculty/staff can submit). >> More info
What’s Open at BC
- The Early Learning Center
- Student Housing (for residents)
Stay Healthy
- Interim President Locke is encouraging everyone to get their flu shot. Watch and share the video!
- The Drive-Thru Flu Clinic at BC was a huge success! If you missed it, here’s info about free flu shot clinics:
- The Department of Health is collaborating with Safeway Inc. and Albertsons Companies LLC to offer free influenza (flu) vaccination for uninsured adults over 18 years of age this flu season.
- Children up to age 18 can receive free vaccines through the Washington State Childhood Vaccine Program. More sites that offer vaccinations for children up to age 18 are on the Public Health – Seattle & King County website.
- The UWKC Benefits Hub at Bellevue College can help eligible students sign up for affordable healthcare through Apple Health. Open enrollment began Nov. 1, and it ends Dec. 15.
Financial Help
- The Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund is open for applications. Families can benefit from a one-time $1,000 or $3,000 payment depending on their application. Any immigrant families that did not qualify for the federal government stimulus check back in March can apply online. Additional resources and translated materials can be found on the King County Immigrant and Refugee Program website.
COVID-19 News
- Seattle Times: Dire warnings from health officials as coronavirus runs wild in Washington: ‘Any in-person gathering is risky’
- Public Health Insider Blog: Black Mental Health Matters: Culturally Relevant Resources are Available in King County
- Public Health Insider Blog: Reducing Coronavirus Risk as We Spend More Time Indoors for Fall and Winter
- CDC: Guidance for Holiday Celebrations and Travel
Official State Info New information and follow-up guidance about COVID-19 is continually evolving. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
- Washington State Department of Health Coronavirus
- Public Health Seattle and King County Coronavirus Disease
- Public Health Seattle and King County Health Blog
Stay well, The Flu Team
Dear Bellevue College community,
On Sunday, Governor Inslee issued a proclamation which enacts a number of new measures in an effort to curb the growing number of positive COVID-19 cases. Many of the new restrictions impact social gatherings and retail business operations, but do not affect higher ed, which is still operating under Washington State Proclamation 20-12.1 and the Campus Reopening Guide.
The attached document provides additional information. The college will continue to operate largely in remote status, while still allowing essential operations to continue on campus grounds. Employees who have permission from their supervisor, and students who have permission from their instructor, are allowed on campus, but must adhere to campus COVID guidelines.
Most important among these guidelines are wearing a mask while on campus, physically distancing from others, and completing a COVID questionnaire every day you are on campus.
Visitors
Visitors who have an official need to be on campus and in or around a facility are now required to fill out an online visitor questionnaire. It is similar to the employee and student questionnaires. Official visitors may include parents accompanying a student, contractors performing maintenance, invited speakers, etc. In all cases, the visiting person should have a need to be on campus. The online questionnaire will help the Flu Team conduct contact tracing, should the need arise.
Travel and Gathering Guidance
We are nearing the time of year when many people gather with family and friends. Please note that gathering in groups—even with people you know—may spread COVID-19. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to others. Public health experts are urging all of us to “stay put” — to celebrate only with the people we already live with, whether that means staying at home or in a residence hall. The Department of Health’s Safe Gatherings webpage offers helpful ideas on ways to celebrate safely and how to have conversations with friends and family about social events. If you have been around groups of people who may not have worn masks, health experts recommend getting a COVID-19 test. Take into account that it can take a few days to receive test results. For those of you planning to travel during break, we strongly recommend you voluntarily self-quarantine for 14 days, especially if you travel out of state, before returning to campus.
Student Assistance
For students experiencing barriers in classes due to having COVID-19, the Disability Resource Center can provide academic accommodations to assist with getting through courses. Please contact them through their website: https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/drc/ or by email: drc@bellevuecollege.edu for more information.
As always, thanks for your patience and understanding in our continued effort to keep our community safe.
Dennis D. Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
Campus COVID-19 Supervisor
Bellevue College, K100G
Dennis.curran@bellevuecollege.edu
425-564-2446
Dear Bellevue Community,
As of this morning, the Bellevue College Early Learning Center (ELC) is closed through December 4th because an individual within the ELC tested positive for COVID-19. The individual was in the ELC November 23, 24 and 25. Those who came into close contact* with the infected individual have been notified. The affected individual was only at the ELC and was not present anywhere else on campus.
When BC leadership learns that we have an ill employee/student/visitor, we swiftly provide notice to each individual we believe had direct contact with that person, and direct them to self-quarantine. If you have not been notified, it means that we do not believe you had direct contact with the individual.
The individual is currently under quarantine. As of now, the ELC is closed through December 4th and will be deep cleaned in the next 48 hours. The remainder of the campus facilities remain closed to most activities; however, student housing and other previously approved classes and functions will continue to be open and operate on campus grounds.
BC continues to follow best practices outlined by local and state health officials. As a reminder, the best way to ensure your health and that of others is to practice good hygiene including wearing a cloth face mask, physical distancing, washing your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home if you’re feeling sick.
We know that this news may be unsettling or cause for concern. We encourage you to educate yourself on what you can do to protect yourself and your family on the Public Health – Seattle & King County website. You can learn more about BC’s response and resources on our COVID-19 website.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Sincerely,
Dennis D. Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
Campus COVID-19 Supervisor
Bellevue College, K100G
Dennis.curran@bellevuecollege.edu
425-564-2446
Definitions:
*Close contact: Close contact is defined by CDC as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic clients, 2 days prior to positive specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated. (source: CDC – October 23, 2020).
Greetings Bellevue Community,
Now that the winter quarter is under way, the Flu Team wanted to provide some updates on the latest issues revolving around the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Recovery Plan
On January 5, 2021, Governor Inslee announced a new plan titled, “Healthy Washington-Roadmap to Recovery” that took effect January 11. The updated plan groups large geographic areas into regions, mostly based on their healthcare service capabilities. Bellevue College is within the “Puget Sound” region that includes King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties. Department of Health (DOH) metrics will determine when our region moves from Phase 1 to Phase 2. Additional information on phases, metrics, and more can be found on the Healthy Washington page. The attached PDF also provides more information.
Vaccine Distribution
Vaccine distribution is also beginning in our state. The DOH crafted a plan to distribute the vaccine in a phased approach and Washington is currently in Phase 1a. The DOH COVID-19 Vaccine page provides information on the initial phases, who will receive the vaccine during each phase and potential timelines. The state is still working on many details of the plan, including additional phases and timelines. The Flu Team will continue to follow state announcements on vaccine planning and distribution and provide updates as they come.
New Virus Strain
On December 21, 2020, Governor Inslee issued new travel restrictions for our state. This is a reminder that anyone traveling to Washington from the United Kingdom or South Africa is required to quarantine for 14 days. This is in response to reports coming out of England and other countries about a new strain of the virus that is more contagious than the strain that has been in the US over the last several months.
Activities on Campus
If your area is planning an activity that will bring students to campus, such as supply pick-up (indoors or out), remember to complete a campus activity proposal at least one week in advance of your planned activity. The one week lead time gives the Flu Team time to discuss the request and suggest changes or provide recommendations on how to ensure the safety of our campus.
Thank you for your continued support!
Dennis D. Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
Campus COVID-19 Supervisor
Bellevue College, K100G
Dennis.curran@bellevuecollege.edu
425-564-2446
Tuesday, December 8 COVID-19 Updates
Greetings Campus Community,
As Fall Quarter draws to a close, the Flu Team wanted to provide an update on COVID restrictions and reporting and share some of the successes and challenges we continue to face. The good news is that the precautions we’ve all taken are limiting the spread of the virus in our community. At the same time, we’ve seen an uptick in positive cases and hospitalizations around the country and so we want to continue to urge caution.
Most immediately, we want to notify the campus that out of an abundance of caution we decided to close the BC Bookstore through Friday, December 11th, based on a positive COVID test. Those who may have been exposed have been notified and we plan to reopen the bookstore on December 14th. During the closure, the bookstore will not schedule pick-up appointments or allow in-store shopping. On-line orders will not be processed, charged, or shipped, but textbook rentals may be returned by mail or in the drop box located at the north entrance of the B building lobby.
Increasing Services – Carefully
Since the beginning of the fall, BC has opened a limited number of campus services, including the Early Learning Center, the Bookstore, the athletic fields, and a few student services within the U building (Student Success Center). All of this was in addition to other services and courses already operating on campus (e.g. Public Safety, Payroll, some Health Science courses, etc.).
Throughout it all, our employees and students have been working hard to ensure they follow our COVID guidelines. The limited number of activities on campus have been going very smoothly and your willingness to follow our guidelines have played a significant role in keeping the community safe.
Responding to Potential and Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
In an effort to ensure the continued safety of our community, the Flu Team continues to respond quickly to potential exposures by contacting impacted individuals, asking people to quarantine and disinfecting areas that may have been exposed. All but a very small number of potential cases have turned out to be negative, and we are unaware of any situations where an infected individual spread the virus on campus. The lack of spread is a direct result of everyone doing their part to reduce exposure, quarantine when needed, operate remotely, and in no small part to the work of our essential personnel such as custodial and public safety. Another major contributor to this success is the establishment and use of our daily check-in database (built by our very own IT Team!) that helps us rapidly understand who may have had contact with exposed individuals and where it may have occurred.
A prime example of our response is the recent positive case in the ELC. Key Flu Team members, along with help from HR and the ELC staff, worked together to swiftly shut down the center and notify families and employees of additional precautions. I’m pleased to report that the ELC is back in business as of Monday morning, December 7th.
How We Communicate
We also want to highlight our communication plan about when and why we might notify the campus about a COVID exposure. To ensure the privacy of our employees and students, we typically communicate only with those who are COVID-19 positive and people with whom they may have been in contact, or who may have had contact with their workspace. For situations that have the potential to be more widespread (such as the ELC), the Flu Team will communicate via email to the campus community. It is our hope that this balanced communication plan will protect the privacy of those affected, along with ensuring the safety of the rest of the community.
Stay Safe If Traveling
With break rapidly approaching, we recognize that some of you may consider travel in the next few weeks. We strongly urge you to follow public health guidance and consider either forgoing travel this year or completing a 14-day self-quarantine before returning to campus, should you travel out of state. Employees are encouraged to work with their supervisors upon returning to Washington, should they decide to travel out of state. More guidance on travel recommendations can be found on the CDC website.
Thanks again for your support, patience and understanding!
Dennis D. Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
Campus COVID-19 Supervisor
Bellevue College, K100G
Dennis.curran@bellevuecollege.edu
425-564-2446
Greetings Bellevue College Community,
It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since the college officially moved instruction and much of our day-to-day responsibilities into remote status. As our faculty and staff continue to work hard to help students succeed, the Flu Team continues to meet twice a week to tackle developing issues.
Over the last several weeks, the Flu Team added more signage around campus, reviewed activity requests and provided guidance for those activities, and discussed remote vs. in-person possibilities for Summer and Fall Quarters, among other things. Here’s a run-down of the latest:
· Spring Quarter – As announced several months ago, we will continue largely in remote status. The Flu Team is also working with ITS to look at the possibility of safely opening a computer lab so students will have a place to study.
· Commencement – BC’s main commencement ceremony will occur remotely this year in a fashion similar to 2020.
· Summer Quarter – The campus will continue to operate largely in remote status during the Summer Quarter. This is not much of a departure from the norm for our students as a large percentage of instruction has occurred remotely over the past several summers. We are looking at a few more classes to be on campus and to open some additional buildings to prepare for Fall.
· Fall Quarter – We are discussing the possibility of having a larger proportion of classes on campus in the fall quarter, along with allowing some of our employees to gradually return to campus. How much we can bring back will depend on safety and physical limitations (e.g., maintaining social distancing, our ability to clean and disinfect). Additionally, as we expand classes on campus, the logistics footprint will steadily increase as we set up more check-in stations and have employees staff those stations. There is still much discussion to be had with our union representatives, as well. We will also need to consider the status of nationwide vaccinations, along with the latest guidance from the Governor’s office.
· Vaccines – Many of you have asked if King County will provide vaccinations on campus. The reality is that vaccine distribution is sporadic at this time so there are not yet any firm plans. There is also uncertainty about where higher education employees fit into the vaccine schedule. We are defined as essential workers in the Washington State Critical Infrastructure list, which allowed us to teach courses on campus that impacted critical industries (e.g. Nursing). The new proclamation from Governor Inslee moved K-12 employees further up on the vaccine list but did not include higher ed employees.
Clearly, there are many issues to consider over the next several months. The Flu Team will continue to monitor the latest guidance to ensure our campus does its best to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to keep everyone safe.
Dennis D. Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
Campus COVID-19 Supervisor
Bellevue College, K100G
This COVID-19 update contains information and resources so you can be informed and stay safe. We’re all in this together — 6 feet apart!
Top 4 ‘Need to Know’
- King County (including Bellevue College) is still in Phase 3, but we can’t relax our safety measures yet. Currently, people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s are experiencing more severe disease and hospitalizations than earlier in the pandemic. This age group only became eligible for the vaccine in the past three weeks. Already, more than half have received a first dose. If even more young and middle-aged adults get vaccinated in coming weeks, that could bring a substantial drop in COVID-19 infections. >> More info
- Everyone ages 16 and older is now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and there are plenty of options to find out where, when and how you can get one.
- Public Health – Seattle & King County vaccine website (info in multiple languages)
- Washington State’s vaccine locator by ZIP code
- City of Seattle vaccination sites at Lumen Field Event Center, at North Seattle College, in Rainier Beach, and in West Seattle
- Phone options with interpretation:
- WA State COVID-19 Assistance hotline: 1-800-525-0127 or 1-888-856-5816 (then press#), 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday, 6 a.m.–6 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
- King County COVID-19 Call Center: 206-477-3977, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Bellevue College’s Commencement Ceremonies will be held virtually on June 25. Graduates planning to participate need to register by May 30. Visit our website to find out how you can submit a photo or short video for the ceremony! >> More info
- The College recently completed an online survey of students and employees to understand the impact of COVID and the desire to return to campus. We had great engagement from the campus community in this survey. These results are being considered as BC determines how many and which classes will return to campus in the Fall and how that will impact the work location of our staff and faculty. >> View the survey results
Helpful Reminders
- Coming to campus? Make sure to get permission from your instructor/supervisor in advance, and fill out our campus check-in form. You can also find our on-campus activity proposal form on our COVID-19 website page. >> More info
- Don’t forget! Everyone on campus is required to wear a mask from the moment they step on campus until they leave. The only exception is when working alone or through an approved reasonable accommodation with HR. This remains true even for those who are fully vaccinated.>> More info
- Students and employees who’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19, have COVID-19 symptoms, or tested positive, please:
- Complete the COVID-19 Report Form. This helps the College conduct contact tracing and provide support for both students and employees. >> More info
- Do not come to campus. Students should notify their instructor, while employees should notify their supervisor and wait for HR to contact them.
What’s Open at BC
- The Early Learning Center
- Student Housing (for residents)
- Pizza Kitchen in the Housing Cafe (hours online)
- Computer Lab in Building N, Room 250 (for students, every day through Spring Quarter, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.)
Stay Healthy
- It’s extremely important to get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms or you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Testing allows you to take care of your own health and to prevent spreading the infection to others. Free COVID-19 testing is available at Bellevue College Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and it’s open to everyone regardless of immigration or insurance status. Register for an appointment online for fastest service. Other free COVID-19 testing locations are listed on the Public Health – Seattle & King County website.
- Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis (RPHC), King County Government and Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) have committed to developing stronger and better resourced partnerships with community organizations and leaders to disrupt and dismantle racism and protect the health and well-being of all our residents, regardless of race or location. Learn more about what the county is doing to apply a racially equitable response that intentionally centers the voices, lived experiences, and expressed needs of communities and residents impacted by racism to develop and implement sustainable solutions that work.
- Bellevue College nursing students have officially joined the volunteer workforce (COVID-19 response team) with Public Health – Seattle & King County! Beginning this May and June, many students will be volunteering to give COVID-19 vaccinations at a community vaccination clinic in Kent, Washington.
Getting Support
- There are many free food resources available in King County, with some offering delivery options. Learn more on the King County emergency food access website, or call 211.
- The UWKC Benefits Hub at Bellevue College can help eligible students:
- Access funds, navigate emergency housing and receive other supports like rent assistance for back rent and funds for move-in costs.
- Sign up for the utility assistance, apply for healthcare or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Get free tax preparation services (through May 17).
- Immigrants (including undocumented immigrants) experiencing hard times because of COVID-19, and who aren’t eligible for federal financial relief or unemployment insurance, may qualify for the second round of assistance under the Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund. Eligible applicants may receive a $1,000 one-time direct payment. Applications will be accepted now through May 21. Visit ImmigrantReliefWA.org or call 844-724-3737 to learn more. Assistance is available in dozens of languages via community partners listed on the homepage.
- The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, and resources are available to help.
- Students can contact the Counseling Center online or call 425-564-5747 to schedule an appointment.
- Employees can access free and confidential counseling and resources through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455.
- Public Health – Seattle & King County also has an extensive list of resources on their website if you need to talk to someone right away, get help finding a counselor, or connect to the Community Health Access Program (CHAP).
COVID-19 News
- Seattle Times: Inslee pauses COVID reopening plan; no Washington counties to roll back for 2 weeks
- Public Health Insider Blog: Getting Vaccinated Just Got Easier (At Last!)
- USA Today: As US nears vaccine tipping point, dramatic decrease in COVID-19 cases could come without herd immunity, some experts say
- NPR: Pfizer Says FDA Will Soon Authorize COVID-19 Vaccine For 12-15 Age Group
Official State Info
New information and follow-up guidance about COVID-19 is continually evolving. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
Greetings Bellevue Community,
As a follow up to recent news about vaccinations and the need to wear masks, the Flu Team wanted to provide a few updates and reminders to the campus. Hopefully, this will answer some questions about our current procedures.
Wearing a Mask
At this time, Bellevue College is not changing our mask-wearing policy. President Biden recently announced some new guidelines for wearing masks in relation to vaccinations. The CDC also developed a handy chart to provide guidance on mask wearing. While this new guidance is promising, we are not changing our mask wearing policy. All students, faculty, staff and visitors must continue to wear a mask while on campus. The only exceptions are while eating, drinking, or working alone. Requiring proof of vaccinations is not feasible for a number of reasons (e.g. confidentiality, timeliness, paperwork, availability of vaccines), so wearing a mask ensures the safety of everyone on campus.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are becoming more readily available in Washington state. All students, staff and faculty coming to campus or planning on coming to campus are strongly encouraged to vaccinate. Here are several good articles on the benefits of vaccination:
· CDC: Benefits of Getting a COVID 19 Vaccine
· Mayo Clinic: COVID 19 Vaccines: Get the Facts
· CDC: Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
Modified Procedure for Completing Daily Check-ins
Everyone coming to campus needs to complete an on-line daily check-in. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID or feel sick, do not come to campus. We recently changed the on-line form to allow people to input the day they are coming to campus (prior practice was to have the date auto-populate). Allowing people to input the date provides more flexibility when filling out the form.
Updated procedure
Fill out the form. Click submit. You will get one of two notifications:
1. If you checked “no” to all the questions on the form, you will receive a notification that includes guidance on the safe wearing of a mask.
2. If you checked “yes” to at least one of the questions on the form, you will receive a notification that tells you NOT to come to campus. If you get the notification, please do the following:
a. Students: DO NOT come to campus. Contact your instructor and tell them you are not able to come to campus. Wait for a call from a college official and further instructions.
b. Employees: DO NOT come to campus. Contact your supervisor and tell them you are not coming to campus. Await a call from HR for further instructions.
Thanks again and stay safe out there!
Greetings Bellevue Community,
Over the last 14 days, there has been a lot of new information and guidance from federal, state and local authorities about wearing masks. Governor Inslee announced last week that Washington state would adopt the updated CDC mask guidelines, but he also emphasized that schools will still be required to wear masks. We are currently awaiting clarification from the state about higher ed mask wearing policies. Additionally, on Thursday, May 20, Public Health – Seattle & King County issued a Directive that a mask mandate is in effect for indoor spaces, regardless of whether a person is vaccinated or not. Following are some key points from the directive.
This is a reminder that BC’s mask wearing policy has not changed. All students, faculty, staff and visitors must continue to wear a mask while on campus. The only exceptions are while eating, drinking, or working alone.
Key points from the Public Health – Seattle & King County Directive
· Continued use of face masks for everyone five years of age and older within indoor public spaces is reasonable and necessary in King County to reduce the risk for COVID-19 transmission until more of the population is protected through vaccination and COVID-19 disease rates decline.
· In addition to the local Directive (for King County), the Washington State Department of Health Order continues to require everyone to wear face masks while on public transportation, and in schools, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, and health care settings, which includes doctor’s offices, long-term care, and hospitals.
· The Directive will remain in effect until Public Health – Seattle & King County confirms that 70% or more of residents age 16 and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Someone is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second shot (or in the case of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, their first shot). Public Health currently projects the county will reach the threshold in late June.
The Flu Team urges everyone to take advantage of free vaccination sites to help King County get to that 70%. Many vaccines are available across King County at high-volume vaccination sites, pharmacies and clinics (and many don’t require appointments).
The College will review its mask policy when Governor Inslee provides more guidance about higher ed and/or when King County revises its guidelines. We will send an email update if Bellevue College changes masking guidelines.
Thank you for your patience, continued flexibility, and for keeping others safe and healthy.
Dennis D. Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
Campus COVID-19 Supervisor
Bellevue College, K100G
Dennis.curran@bellevuecollege.edu
425-564-2446
Dear BC Community,
As you may know, changes are happening to COVID-19 guidelines across Washington state beginning June 30, 2021. Late yesterday, Governor Inslee published new higher education guidelines and we are working to understand the impact. Until further notice, Bellevue College is operating under the following guidelines:
1. Faculty, staff, visitors and students on campus must wear a mask when indoors, unless they are working alone, eating or drinking. Masks only need to be worn outdoors by unvaccinated individuals in a crowded space.
2. Anyone coming on campus must fill out an online daily health assessment every day they come to campus.
3. Practice physical distancing, which is reduced from six feet to three feet.
4. Check-in stations are no longer required to do temperature checks.
We’ll provide more information as soon as we can. Thank you for your patience, and for helping to keep our campus healthy
Dennis D. Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
Campus COVID-19 Supervisor
Bellevue College, K100G
Dennis.curran@bellevuecollege.edu
425-564-2446
Dear BC Community,
On July 12, 2021, Governor Inslee published a new higher education proclamation which offers two vaccination options for Washington state colleges and universities. Institutions of higher education must choose to be a college that requires vaccination for all students, faculty, and staff coming onto campus for work, study, or use of facilities or a college that does not require vaccination.
After thoughtful discussions with the Flu Team and President’s Cabinet, we have determined that the safest and most prudent option for our students, faculty, and staff is to be a college that requires vaccination beginning Fall Quarter. This brings the college in line with current guidance from county, state, and national health officials. All the other community/technical colleges in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties are requiring vaccinations as are most, if not all, of the four-year institutions in the region.
What is a College That Requires Vaccination?
In brief, all faculty, staff, and students will be required to submit either a self-attestation, indicating the dates they received their vaccinations, or an exemption request. According to Governor Inslee’s guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving all recommended vaccine doses authorized for emergency use by the FDA or World Health Organization.
What Happens Next?
There is much work to be done to prepare for the Fall Quarter, but we wanted to make this announcement as soon as possible. The Flu Team is currently drafting detailed protocol to meet state requirements. In the next few weeks, we will provide more information on vaccine attestations, exemption documentation, due dates, and additional information that everyone in the Bellevue College community will want to know.
What Are the Current Campus Guidelines?
As a reminder and until further notice, Bellevue College is still operating under the following guidelines
- Faculty, staff, visitors, and students on campus must wear a mask when indoors, unless they are working alone, eating, or drinking. Masks only need to be worn outdoors by unvaccinated individuals in a crowded space.
- Anyone coming on campus must fill out an online daily health assessment every day they come to campus.
- Practice physical distancing, which is reduced from six feet to three feet.
- Check in stations will remain for the time being, but temperature checks are no longer required.
Again, more details will be coming soon. Until then I cannot stress enough how important it is for everyone who is able to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Thank you in advance for your patience as we create a plan that will continue to keep the members of our campus community safe and healthy.
Gary Locke
Interim President
Dear BC Community,
On August 18, 2021 Governor Inslee announced that, as a condition of employment, all higher education employees, including those who work remotely, must be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021, unless granted a medical or religious exemption. Governor’s Proclamation 21-14.1.
I am writing to provide additional clarity around the process for providing vaccination documentation and requesting medical and religious exemptions for Bellevue College employees, under the Proclamation.
In accordance with Governor’s Proclamation 21-14.1, Bellevue College is prohibited from permitting any employee to engage in work for the College after October 18, 2021, unless the employee
- has been fully vaccinated and has provided proof of that vaccination; or
- has received a medical or religious exemption per state standards.
Proclamation 21-14.1 applies to college faculty and staff, not students. The vaccination requirement does apply to hourly student employees, but not to work-study students. The proclamation applies to all employees, even if they work entirely online or remotely.
Attestation Form
All employees must complete an attestation form as to their vaccination status no later than October 4, 2021, via a BC website that will be available September 1, 2021. Using the attestation form, employees will either:
- indicate their vaccination status and upload their proof of vaccination documentation; or
- request a medical or religious exemption.
The website will include directions for uploading proof of vaccine documentation (e.g. vaccination card), including options for those who do not have access to a scanner. For employees not wanting to upload their vaccination documentation via the website, the website will list days and times employees may come to Human Resources to have their vaccination documents verified in person. Vaccination documentation proofing vaccination will not be not be kept by the College but will be used simply to record whether the employee is or is not vaccinated.
The website will also have links to the forms required by the State of Washington to request a medical or religious exemption. Because the process for requesting an exemption, especially a medical exemption, is complicated, employees are encouraged to begin the process as soon as the forms are available on the website on September 1, 2021.
To be fully vaccinated by October 18, 2021, as required and set forth in Governor’s Proclamation 21-14.1, depending on the vaccine, the completed series must be done by October 4, 2021. Please see the table below for clarification.
| Vaccine | Series Dose Requirement | First Dose No Later Than | Second Dose | Complete Series | Fully Vaccinated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pfizer | 2 doses, 21 days apart | 9/13/2021 | 10/4/2021 | 10/4/2021 | 10/18/2021 |
| Moderna | 2 doses, 28 days apart | 9/6/2021 | 10/4/2021 | 10/4/2021 | 10/18/2021 |
| Johnson & Johnson | Single dose | 10/4/2021 | N/A | 10/4/2021 | 10/18/2021 |
We recognize that the processes to comply with Governor Inslee’s proclamation may create stress. We will do everything we can to support you and answer your questions. We hope this information helps clarify how we will work together through this process.
Gary Locke
Interim President
Dear BC Community,
Earlier this week, I shared information about the process for providing vaccination documentation and requesting medical and religious exemptions for Bellevue College employees, under the Governor’s Proclamation 21-14.1.
In accordance with Governor Inslee’s Proclamation, Bellevue College is prohibited from permitting any employee to engage in work for the College after October 18, 2021, unless the employee
- has been fully vaccinated and has provided proof of that vaccination; or
- has received a medical or religious exemption per state standards.
Attestation Form
Today, I am writing to alert you to the Bellevue College website which has the attestation form that all employees must complete no later than October 4, 2021. Using the attestation form, employees will either:
- indicate their vaccination status and upload their proof of vaccination documentation; or
- request a medical or religious exemption.
The website also has information on ways to upload proof of vaccination documentation if employees do not have access to a scanner as well as the days and times employees can come to the Office of Human Resources to provide their proof of vaccination documentation in-person.
Because the process of requesting a medical or religious exemption is complicated and may take some time to consider, employees requesting such an exemption should submit the appropriate forms as soon as possible. Under Governor’s Proclamation 21-14.1, employees who are not fully vaccinated by October 18 or have not been granted a medical or religious exemption by October 18, may not continue to be employed by the College.
Click here:
Bellevue College Employee Attestation Form
Confidentiality
Both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the state Attorney General have issued guidelines that an individual’s vaccine status is confidential. Employees must take care not to inquire about nor discuss another individual’s vaccine status; supervisors are not allowed to ask employees about their vaccine status. Additionally, the College does not condone any form of discrimination against employees or students based on their vaccine status.
Thank you for patience as we develop a plan that prioritizes the safety and health of our campus community.
Gary Locke
Interim President
Dear BC Students,
Bellevue College Interim President, Gary Locke, recently announced plans for Bellevue College to become a vaccinated campus beginning Fall Quarter 2021. Governor Inslee also recently required all state employees, which includes college employees, to be vaccinated. This means all college employees and students must be vaccinated unless granted a medical or religious exemption. This includes those that do not plan to come to campus. The information below provides instructions for how you tell the campus about your vaccination status or the steps you must take to request a medical or religious exemption.
Student Requirements
Students who plan to get the vaccine must be fully vaccinated by November 5. You are fully vaccinated two weeks after you receive your second dose of a two-dose series, or two weeks after a single-dose shot. The table below provides information on when you must receive your vaccine to meet the November 5 deadline.
| Vaccine | Series Dose Requirement | First Dose No Later Than | Second Dose | Complete Series | Fully Vaccinated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pfizer | 2 doses, 21 days apart | 2/28/2022 | 3/21/2022 | 3/21/2022 | 4/4/2022 |
| Moderna | 2 doses, 28 days apart | 2/21/2022 | 3/21/2022 | 3/21/2022 | 4/4/2022 |
| Johnson & Johnson | Single dose | 3/21/2022 | N/A | 3/21/2022 | 4/4/2022 |
Vaccination Attestation (Confirmation) Form
You must complete the online vaccination attestation (confirmation) form by October 4, 2021. You can access the secure website and form using the link provided below. The form asks you to do one of the following:
1. Attest (confirm) that you are vaccinated, provide the name of the vaccine you received, and the date/s you received it, OR
2. Request a medical or religious exemption, and upload required documentation related to your request.
Use this link to access the Online Vaccination Attestation/Confirmation Form.
If you do not submit the required form, you cannot register for Winter quarter. In addition, you may be subject to Fall quarter student disciplinary action based on policy 2050 Student Conduct Code. Submitting false information on the form can also lead to disciplinary action, which may include suspension or dismissal from the college.
We understand this process may create stress and concern for you. We are here to support you through this process, and answer your questions. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns you have by using the Online Help Request Ticket System. Additional information and resources about COVID-19 can be found at https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/covid19/.
Office of Student Affairs
425-564-2205 3000
Landerholm Circle SE
Student Success Center,
U Building, Suite 307
Bellevue, WA 98007
Colleagues,
After reviewing the latest guidance from federal and state health officials, and in an effort to keep our community safe and healthy, the Flu Team and President’s Cabinet agreed on several guidelines to ensure we are all working together to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please take the time to read this email to understand what you need to do, as everyone is personally responsible for doing their part to keep the campus community safe.
Procedures If Testing Positive for COVID, Have COVID Symptoms, Or Been in Close Contact
The attached PDF lays out the steps the College will take when an employee or student reports they: 1) tested positive for COVID; 2) have COVID symptoms that can’t be attributed to another illness; or 3) had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID. The bottom line: if any of these three situations apply to you, stay home and contact your supervisor or HR for next steps (students should contact their instructors).
Vaccinations
Employees are required to complete their Vaccination Attestation Form no later than October 4th, 2021. The form and supporting documentation can be filled out and submitted on-line. Employees can also submit documentation in-person by dropping in at the HR office in the R building between the hours of 10am-4pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays (September 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30).
Students also need to submit a Vaccination Attestation (Confirmation) Form which can be filled out and submitted on-line. Students with questions are urged to visit the College vaccination page, which has additional information, including a button at the bottom of the page which allows students to submit an online Help Request.
For those who still need to be vaccinated, King County has a list of locations that provide free vaccinations.
Confidentiality
The vaccine status of an employee or student is confidential medical information that is protected from disclosure under both federal and state law. Therefore, employees should refrain from inquiring about the vaccine status of students or their fellow employees, unless making such an inquiry is within the employee’s job duties. The college may share accommodation information with supervisors, so that the supervisor can ensure that an employee’s accommodations are being properly implemented. For similar reasons, the college may inform faculty members about vaccine-related accommodations students attending their classes may be receiving. As with other workplace and educational accommodations, employees should avoid making inquiries about the underlying circumstances giving rise to an accommodation. Discrimination against students or employees based on their religious beliefs or on their actual or perceived medical status is strictly prohibited.
Keeping the Campus Safe
Bellevue College will continue to require everyone to wear a mask while indoors, unless working alone, eating or drinking. The attached Campus COVID Chart lists our Bellevue College requirements for fall quarter 2021. Please take some time to review the list as it provides details on everything from physical distancing (3 feet of distance is recommended) to activity requests (no longer required) and more. Here are a few key requirements:
- Masks are required while indoors, until further notice.
- Anyone on campus between now and September 24th is required to complete a daily health attestation.
- Check in stations are no longer required.
- The campus will provide plexiglass screens, as requested, for high traffic customer service areas, but not for individual desks.
To reduce COVID exposure Campus Operations has been improving filtration systems and adjusting airflow in campus buildings, as recommended by the CDC. MERV 13 filters are recommended by the American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE) to filter out the COVID virus. By the end of September, assuming supply chains hold up, we plan to have MERV 13 filters in every building where the HVAC system allows for alternate filter types, which is most buildings on campus. The attached document entitled “Status of building filtration” provides more information. We’re also following CDC recommendations to increase the amount of airflow from outside air sources, maintain exhaust systems, and use fans, as necessary. Employees may consider opening windows where possible when back on campus, too.
What Happens Next?
We will continue to monitor the developing situation with the COVID delta variant and follow federal, state and local guidance and adapt our requirements accordingly. We are also hosting a Town Hall to provide information about the vaccination attestations and any other issues of concern. Employees are welcome to attend the virtual Town Hall on September 20th between 1:00-2:00pm.
Dennis D Curran
VP of Admin Services
Colleagues,
In response to yesterday’s email, there have been several questions about vaccination requirements for students and employees. To be clear:
- All employees, regardless of where they live and whether they ever step foot on campus, must complete the Employee Vaccination Attestation Form by October 4th and be fully vaccinated by October 18th or be granted a medical or religious exemption.
- All students, regardless of where they live and whether they ever step foot on campus, must complete the Student Vaccination Attestation (Confirmation) by October 4th and be fully vaccinated by November 5th or be granted a medical or religious exemption.
I’m attaching an updated version of the COVID requirement chart to clear up any confusion; it includes additional references in the top paragraph and clears up the language about vaccination requirements.
Dennis D Curran
VP of Admin Services
Dear Bulldogs,
We are thrilled to have you join us for the Fall 2021 Quarter! The College is offering classes and providing services using a hybrid model – remote only, face-to-face or a mix of both. We want to take a moment to share the student resources available on campus to support you on your academic journey!
The list below does not include all the services we offer and is subject to change. We encourage you to check individual department websites for the latest updates on how to connect with our services, https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/resources/.
- Benefits Hub/Food Pantry: Tuesdays from 8:00am – 5:00pm, starting Oct. 5, the Benefits Hub will distribute food boxes to students. Please visit https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/benefits-hub/ to reserve a box or stop by U-Building 111 during our hours of operation. Office will continue providing services remotely all other days of the week.
- Center for High School Programs: Office front service area open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8 am – 5 pm (the desk will be closed from 12 pm – 1 pm for lunch). Services by appt. (remote). Click for our website.
- College Bookstore: In-store shopping and online pick-up by appt., 9am –2pm, Mondays – Thursdays. Schedule appointments at bookstore@bellevuecollege.edu. Fridays, hours 9am – 11:30 am. Extended hours during RUSH & no appt. needed for processed online order pick-up (takes 24 hrs.)
- Enrollment Services: In-person appointments may be scheduled as needed. Students needing in-person services should contact Enrollment Services through the Online Help Request Ticket System.
- Financial Aid: In-person appointments may be scheduled as needed. Students needing in-person services should contact Financial Aid through the Online Help Request Ticket System.
- Information Desk: Open 8am – 6pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, drop ins welcome during this time.
- International Education and Global Initiatives: In-person appointments may be scheduled, please contact the office directly to schedule – click to schedule an appointment.
- Library: Library is open M-Th 9am-4pm. We will be closed on Fridays and weekends; by appointment at https://bellevuecollege.libcal.com/, remote services are provided 8am – 5pm. https://bellevuecollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=1075392&p=7832344, Ask a Librarian is available 24×7 at https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/lmc/libanswers/
- Student Computer Labs & Printing Kiosks: see website for up-to-date times, Student Computer Labs & Printing Kiosks website.
- Student Engagement Office (previously known as Student Programs): We will continue providing services remotely, but students and student groups will be able to book various rooms in C-building and A265 for studying and/or group meetings through our office – Check out our website!
- Student Financial Services (Cashiers): In-person appointments may be scheduled as needed. Students needing in-person services should contact SFS at sfs@bellevuecollege.edu. Review our website here for additional information.
- Testing & Placement Office: In-Person placement testing will take place on 9/21, 9/28, 10/12, 11/2, 11/30, 12/14 and 12/28 by appt. For more information, click here.
- Welcome Center: The Welcome Center will be offering tours for prospective students and will be providing virtual service too. For more information, please visit Welcome Center @ Bellevue College.
- Workforce Education: In-person appointments may be scheduled as needed. Students needing in-person services should contact their Workforce manager.
Important to Note:
- Housing
Housing will be open fall quarter and will be serving as home to many BC students. If interested in living on-campus, please visit Housing @ Bellevue College for more information.
- Athletics
BC Athletic teams will be practicing and holding competitive events during fall quarter. For more information, please visit Sports Schedules • Bellevue College Athletics.
- Student Central
Student Central Offices (Workforce Education, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid, Evaluations & Graduation, and Placement & Testing Services) are closed to the public on Fridays. These offices will continue to provide online services Monday through Thursday with some in-person appointments and in-person testing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as indicated above.
- Career Connections
The Center for Career Connections will be open for some in-person services on Tuesdays and Wednesdays by appointment only. Online services are available 5 days a week. Students can make appointments at www.bellevuecollege.edu/careers.
- RISE MakerSpace
The MakerSpace will host open build hours for students who wish to work on projects on Tuesdays and Wednesday afternoons in B237. All workshops will be outside or on Zoom. The precise schedule will be posted at https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/makerspace prior to the start of Fall Quarter.
If you do not see a specific service listed, it is more than likely offered as a remote option this quarter. Please use the link below for the most current information on how to reach the department or service you need: Student College Resources Website.
Staff are available to answer your questions in person on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Information Desk, located in the U Building (Student Success Center) You may also submit questions and/or concerns by using our Online Help Request Ticket System.
We look forward to serving you this quarter. We hope you have an amazing term!
Go Bulldogs!
This COVID-19 update contains information and resources so you can be informed and stay safe. We’re all in this together — 3 feet apart!
Top 4 ‘Need to Know’
- As you’ve seen in your BC email, Bellevue College is requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all students and employees unless a medical or religious exemption is requested and granted. More info and copies of the emails are available on our COVID-19 website, but below are some important dates to keep in mind.
- Oct. 4, 2021 – Employees and students must submit their online COVID-19 vaccination attestation forms, or request a medical or religious exemption, by Oct. 4.
- Oct. 18, 2021 – All employees, including those who work remotely, must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18 unless they’ve been granted a medical or religious exemption.
- Nov. 5, 2021 – All students, including those learning remotely, must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 5 unless they’ve been granted a medical or religious exemption.
Questions? Employees can contact Human Resources and students can submit an online help request ticket.
- Mask up indoors! Don’t forget that regardless of vaccination status, all faculty, staff, visitors and students must wear a mask when indoors, unless you’re working alone, eating or drinking.
- Anyone on campus between now and September 24th is still required to complete a daily health attestation. Physical distancing of 3 feet is recommended, but not required.
- Students and employees who’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19, have COVID-19 symptoms, or tested positive, please:
- Complete the COVID-19 Report Form. This helps the College conduct contact tracing and provide support for both students and employees.
- Do not come to campus. Students should notify their instructor, while employees should notify their supervisor and wait for HR to contact them.
What’s Open at BC
- The Early Learning Center
- Student Housing (for residents)
- Pizza Kitchen in the Housing Cafe (hours online)
Stay Healthy
- Still need to get vaccinated? There are plenty of options and they’re free!
- Public Health – Seattle & King County vaccine website (info in multiple languages). If you need language interpretation or online help, call the King County COVID-19 Call Center: 206-477-3977, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Please say your preferred language when connected. If you have a disability and need accommodation, email publichealthaccommodations@kingcounty.gov or call 206-477-3977.
- Washington State’s vaccine locator by ZIP code. Many sites are drop-in with no appointment needed!
- Drive-through or in-car vaccination is available at the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital (Monday through Friday), HealthPoint Renton (Tuesday through Saturday), and the Kent Public Health Center (Monday through Friday).
- Free rides to and from your vaccination are offered by:
- Lyft
- Hopelink Mobility (phone: 425-943-6706, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Dial 5 for interpretation).
- Free childcare is available for vaccination appointments and recuperation from KinderCare (phone: 1-866-337-3105), the Learning Care Group (phone: 1-833-459-3557), and the YMCA (contact your local YMCA to learn more).
- It’s extremely important to get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms or you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Testing allows you to take care of your own health and to prevent spreading the infection to others. Free COVID-19 testing is available at Bellevue College Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and it’s open to everyone regardless of immigration or insurance status. Register for an appointment online for fastest service. Other free COVID-19 testing locations are listed on the Public Health – Seattle & King County website.
Getting Support
- There are many free food resources available in King County, with some offering delivery options. Learn more on the King County emergency food access website, or call 211.
- The UWKC Benefits Hub at Bellevue College can help eligible students:
- Access funds, navigate emergency housing and receive other supports like rent assistance for back rent and funds for move-in costs.
- Sign up for the utility assistance, apply for healthcare or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, and resources are available to help.
- Students can contact the Counseling Center online or call 425-564-5747 to schedule an appointment.
- Employees can access free and confidential counseling and resources through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455.
- Public Health – Seattle & King County also has an extensive list of resources on their website if you need to talk to someone right away, get help finding a counselor, or connect to the Community Health Access Program (CHAP).
COVID-19 News
- Seattle Times: King County customers of restaurants, theaters, gyms must show proof of COVID vaccination or negative test
- Public Health Insider: New Data Dashboard Tracks COVID-19 Risk for Unvaccinated People Compared to Vaccinated People
- Seattle Times: The pandemic marks another grim milestone: 1 in 500 Americans have died of covid-19
- King 5: Washington hospitals experiencing ‘extreme stress, capacity issues’ due to delta variant
Official State Info
New information and follow-up guidance about COVID-19 is continually evolving. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
- Washington State Department of Health Coronavirus
- Public Health Seattle and King County Coronavirus Disease
- Public Health Seattle and King County Health Blog
Stay well,
The Flu Team
Greetings colleagues,
The Fall Quarter is well underway and the campus is off to a great start! I wanted to take a moment to remind folks about our COVID-19 protocols and provide some important updates.
COVID-19 Report Form
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or has close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 should immediately fill out a COVID-19 report so the College can take steps to protect the safety of our campus and community.
King County Proclamation
The King County proclamation issued 9/16/2021 requires indoor facilities to verify each person’s proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before entering the facility. It applies to events where spectators, patrons, paying customers, etc., are present. Examples include theater productions, indoor collegiate sporting events, and indoor events hosted by private entities that have customers or public attendance. ID checkers will be posted at entrances to verify documentation prior to entrance. Patrons who do not produce vaccination or negative COVID test documentation will not be allowed to enter. This order does not apply to on campus dining (i.e. pizza kitchen, cafeteria, coffee shops) nor does it apply to indoor educational events or classroom visitors/speakers. This order takes effect 10/25/2021.
All individuals aged 12 and older must provide vaccination or negative COVID-19 test documentation. This includes employees and students who attend an event as a spectator. For example, students and employees who wish to watch a basketball game or performing arts event must show their vaccination documentation or proof of a negative COVID test prior to entering the facility.
The King County proclamation and attached PDF provide additional information on the types of vaccine or COVID-19 test documentation that is required.
All visitors on campus must comply with the mask mandate and any other COVID-19 guidelines while indoors. If a visitor insists on entering a facility, but refuse to wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth, contact Public Safety at 425-564-2400 during regular business hours or 425-466-9365 after hours. Employees who sponsor a visitor for an indoor educational event (e.g. classroom speakers) should recommend that the visitor be fully vaccinated before coming onto campus and are responsible for ensuring the visitor wears a mask while indoors.
Airflow
All buildings in the attached document have had existing air filtration replaced with increased efficiency MERV 13 air filters, as recommended by the American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE). These filters reduce potential circulation of the COVID-19 virus. Where possible, the college has also increased the percentage of outside air flow and the air exchange rates within the Heating, Ventilation, and AC (HVAC) systems.
Proper wear and type of masks
The state order to wear a mask while indoors is still in effect. Everyone who is indoors should wear a cloth face covering (mask). A cloth face covering is anything the completely covers your mouth and nose, and fits securely on the sides of your face and under your chin. It should be made of two or more layers of tightly woven fabric with ties or straps that go around your head or behind your ears.
Employees working alone in an office, eating or drinking may remove their masks. Employees working in an enclosed cubicle that has at least five-foot walls and have at least six feet of distance from other employees or students may remove their mask if no one else is inside the cubicle.
Classroom Recommendations
Along with having cleaning and distancing protocols in the classroom, it is highly recommended that faculty use seating charts for better contact tracing in cases where someone in the class tests positive. There is a seating schematic in 25Live for every classroom. Faculty should contact Megan Watson if they have questions about seating schematics. As a vaccinated campus, three feet of physical distance is not required, but as we build schedules, we are trying to provide enough space in each on ground classroom to have at least 3 feet between students.
Winter Quarter and Return to Campus
We are still planning for a return to campus on December 13th, but we are closely monitoring the situation to make adjustments as needed. We are also planning to have more on-ground (including hybrid) courses in the Winter Quarter as well, which means more faculty will be back on campus for meetings, classes and other needs. We must make decisions about this now because the ctcLink transition will make it difficult to make changes (including changes to modality) after the end of October.
Thank you for everything you’re doing to keep our campus safe and healthy. None of us could have imagined the pandemic would have lasted this long, but together we’ve been able to minimize its impact on our community. We’ll continue to send updates as needed and don’t forget to periodically check in to our COVID-19 website page for info and resources.
Sincerely,
Dennis Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
425.564.2446
Greetings Bellevue College Community,
As we head into the holiday break, the Flu Team wanted to provide some guidance and information to the campus. As we start having more people on campus, it’s important we all take care to follow CDC and Public Health recommendations. We are continuing to monitor the spread of the omicron variant and will adjust our guidelines as needed. Additionally, we highly recommend you receive your booster vaccination. Please read on for more information.
Masks
Masks will continue to be required indoors (unless actively eating or drinking or working alone; NOTE: as soon as drinking/eating is complete, please don your mask) during winter quarter and until further notice. With the emergence of new variants, face masks remain an important tool in preventing transmission. COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets when infected people, many of whom do not exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, cough, sneeze, or talk. For more information on what makes a good mask, see the King County Masking Guidance page.
Physical Distancing
Bellevue College is a vaccinated campus. Physical distancing, while not required, is still highly recommended. When an individual reports they have a positive COVID test, the college implements contact tracing. Anyone who is determined to have “close contact” with the infected individual is notified. Close Contact is defined by the CDC as: “…being less than six feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of more than 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.” For individuals who have close contact with a confirmed case, CDC guidance and college protocol is to wait 5 days after exposure before taking a COVID test.
Parking garage
Beginning January 1, 2022, the 1st and 2nd floor of the parking garage will be available for use. Those with appropriate permits may begin parking in the 1st and 2nd floor as of January 1st. COVID testing will continue on the 3rd, 4th and 5th floors through at least March 31, 2022. The College will monitor traffic closely to assess the impact on campus accessibility.
Reporting exposures or positive COVID tests
To ensure we respond as soon and as effectively as possible, students and employees must report an exposure or positive COVID test using the on-line COVID exposure form. This provides information so the college can notify those who may have had close contact and sanitize facilities, as necessary.
Miscellaneous
Faculty wishing to include additional COVID-19 safety information for a class can find several free modules in the Canvas Course Commons.
Classrooms are supplied with a cleaning tray that includes hand sanitizer, cleaning materials and extra masks. Instructors are encouraged to use these materials between classes. Need additional hand sanitizer, masks, cleaning materials or other PPE? Fill out a service request and Campus Ops will provide your supplies.
Thanks for your support and enjoy the break! See you in Winter quarter 2022!
Dennis Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
425.564.2446
Dear BC Community,
Thank you for your incredible patience and flexibility as we continue to navigate the pandemic. We’ve been closely monitoring the spread of the Omicron variant across the nation, as well as the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases here in King County. To ensure the safety, success, and health of our community, we have made the decision to start Bellevue College’s Winter Quarter remotely and continue in this modality through the first four weeks of January (Jan. 3 – 28).
What does this mean for you?
For Students: Plan to attend your classes remotely using the course Canvas site on the first scheduled day of class (Jan. 3 for asynchronous classes), even if your class was scheduled to meet in-person. Most classes will remain remote through Jan. 28 at their scheduled meeting times, although some classes, such as those in some health science fields, may return to campus sooner. Your instructor will inform you if your class will be scheduled to meet on campus before Jan. 28. In addition, many campus services will only be available remotely. Limited on ground services, such as access to computer labs, may be available after the first week. Be sure to watch your email for updates and check the college website for more information. Student housing will remain open.
For Faculty: Plan to meet with your students remotely using Canvas on the first scheduled meeting day of the quarter (Jan. 3 for asynchronous classes), and for most classes, continue to meet remotely through Jan. 28. Classes with scheduled meeting times should plan to meet remotely at those times. Starting week 2, a limited number of courses (such as health science courses that have operated on campus throughout the pandemic) will be allowed to meet on campus. Instructors will be provided further information on these exceptions, and once approved, they can let their students know of any expectations to meet on campus in January.
For Staff: Most campus operations will remain remote through Jan. 28, and where possible, staff will continue work remotely. Consider this to be similar to the expectations for your unit before November 2021. Please work with your supervisor to discuss expectations in your area. When COVID-19 conditions improve, departments will resume progress on their “return to campus” staffing plans.
What will happen next?
The President’s Cabinet and Flu Team will continue to monitor and assess the emerging impacts The President’s Cabinet and Flu Team will continue to monitor and assess the emerging impacts of the Omicron variant and make an announcement no later than Jan. 25 regarding how the College will proceed in February and beyond if possible. We hope to get back to the “return to campus” we had planned for Winter Quarter, however, what this looks like will depend on what we learn about the Omicron variant over the next several weeks.
I know we all want to get back to learning and working in-person, and the rise of this new variant only adds to everyone’s sense of stress, frustration, and concern. But the health and safety of our community is our highest priority. You can help protect your own health, and the health of others, by scheduling a free vaccination booster, or by getting tested if you’ve recently traveled to visit family and friends. If you learn you have been exposed to COVID-19 or test positive, please complete the online COVID-19 report form. And if you do come to campus, remember to wear your mask. More info about the best masks and how to wear them properly can be found on the Public Health – Seattle & King County website.
As a nation and community, we have made tremendous headway in better understanding and managing COVID-19 with vaccines, boosters, medications, and a variety of precautionary measures. We must take full advantage of all of them in order to resume normal operations, and we remain optimistic that we will be able to bring students, faculty, and staff back to campus safely in the near future.
Thank you for doing your part in helping to keep our community safe.
Gary Locke
Interim President
Dear BC Community,
On Dec. 28, it was announced that BC’s Winter Quarter would operate remotely through Jan. 28 to ensure the safety, success, and health of our community. Employees whose jobs require them to work on campus will continue to work on campus during this time. Employees who have been working remotely during the pandemic should continue to work remotely through Jan. 28. Employees who would like to return to working on campus prior to Jan. 28 should check in with their supervisor to discuss return-to-campus plans for their unit.
The latest variant of COVID-19 (Omicron) is spreading more quickly than prior variants, which gives it the potential to rapidly spread through an office or classroom. Supervisors should consider this in discussions with employees about returning to campus and plan for a situation where some or all their staff may be out sick or quarantined.
During this period of rapid transmission, it is essential anytime one is on campus that they make an extra effort to ensure they are wearing masks properly and maintaining social distancing. I encourage everyone to get a booster shot. King County has many free vaccination clinics.
Several areas will continue to provide in-person services during the month of January:
- The N250 computer lab opens Jan. 10. Click here for the current schedule.
- The IT service desk offers in-person availability by appointment only.
- The campus bookstore will be open by appointment only, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 2:30 pm, to assist students, faculty, and administrators with questions concerning book orders, adoptions, and backorders.
- The library will be open Monday – Thursday, 9 am – 4 pm beginning this week through the end of Winter Quarter.
- The Pizza Kitchen will be open Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 5:30 pm and Friday 10 am – 3 pm.
After Jan. 28, we hope to get back to the “return to campus” we had planned for Winter Quarter, however, this will depend on what we learn about the Omicron variant over the next couple of weeks. The President’s Cabinet and Flu Team will continue to monitor and assess the emerging impacts of the Omicron variant and make an announcement no later than Jan. 25 regarding how the College will proceed in February and beyond if possible.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we react and adjust to changing conditions in order to determine a safe and phased return-to-campus plan for the College.
Gary Locke
Interim President
Dear BC Community,
I’d like to thank everyone for all that you have done to help keep our community safe during this recent surge in the pandemic. COVID-19 continues to challenge us all, and the very rapid increase in cases and hospitalizations in late December required us all to adapt quickly.
The health and safety of our community remains our highest priority as we continue to monitor and assess the emerging impacts of the Omicron variant of COVID-19. While there is evidence that the number of cases of COVID-19 declined in the last week, we are still very concerned about the impact on those in our community who are at higher risk, and the number of hospitalizations in King County, which puts immense strain on our entire health care system.
Out of care and concern for our BC community, we are planning to move forward with a slow and phased gradual return to campus in the Winter Quarter. Our goal is to balance a successful return to on-ground learning and services while providing flexibility for individual needs this quarter – providing employees and their supervisors with some flexibility to determine the modality of their classes and work.
Staff Guidelines (including all classified, exempt, temporary hourly, and student workers who have been primarily working remotely)
- The date for the return to providing on-ground services to campus will be extended one week to Feb. 7 to allow for communication, office planning, and time for transition.
- Starting Feb. 7, offices will provide limited on-ground services for students and employees, while continuing to provide online support.
- Supervisors will work with their employees to determine on-ground staffing needs and schedules based on providing limited on-ground service.
- On-ground hours should be clearly posted.
Classes and Faculty Guidelines
- The date for returning on-ground courses to campus will be extended one week to Feb. 7 to allow for communication and time for transition.
- Starting Feb. 7, courses that were scheduled to meet on-ground in Winter Quarter will commence meeting on-ground at their scheduled meeting times. However, faculty will be given individual flexibility to adjust their modality for the remainder of the quarter, including extending the date of meeting on-ground or altering the modality to be hybrid or remote.
- Faculty should inform their Dean/Chair/Program Manager about their plans and clearly message their students by Feb. 2, so that students are fully aware of the expectations.
- Instructors in on-ground classes should make a reasonable effort to meet the needs of students who may also need some flexibility in returning to on-ground learning due to high risk, illness, the need to quarantine, or issues related to daycare or school closures.
- Courses that were scheduled to meet entirely online will continue to meet online for the remainder of the quarter.
Ongoing safety precautions:
- KN95 masks will be available for any on-ground employees who request them. (The Flu Team is drafting guidelines for distribution and usage, which will be disseminated in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, a well-fitting disposable surgical mask offers the next best protection. While cloth masks can still be useful, it is best to layer them up for more protection. As soon as we have more information about KN95 masks, we will share it with the campus.)
- Everyone in the community is required to be vaccinated or have an approved exemption. Spot checking of student attestations is currently underway to ensure the effectiveness of the vaccination policy.
- Through not required at this time, we are beginning to collect booster data from students and employees.
- Ongoing protocols regarding masks requirements, quarantine and testing requirements, cleaning caddies in classrooms, ventilation etc. are still in place and can be reviewed on the COVID webpage.
What you can do: We must continue to work as a community to lessen the transmission of COVID-19. Stay home when you feel sick, upgrade your mask, request free at-home tests, and get your booster shot!
- Request free at-home tests. Did you know you can now request four free at-home COVID-19 tests per household from the U.S. government? Go to: COVIDTests.gov. You can then enter your name and address to request four tests. Most health insurance providers are also now required to pay for up to eight at-home tests per month for individuals on their plans. Contact your health insurance provider to learn how to access these free at-home tests. Order your COVID-at-home tests now, so you have them when you need them.
- Get your booster shot. If you are eligible, please do not wait to get your booster shot. Booster shots offer tremendous protection, especially against the Omicron variant. Booster shots are not required by Bellevue College, but students and employees are encouraged to submit an updated BC vaccination attestation if they received a COVID-19 booster. For more information, visit the Public Health – Seattle & King County website or the Department of Health vaccine locator.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we implement a practical and safe return-to-campus plan for the College.
Gary Locke
Interim President
Dear Campus Community,
With several new and anticipated announcements coming out from the Governor’s Office and King County Public Health, the flu team wanted to provide updates on how Bellevue College will proceed through the next few weeks and months. Our goal is to enact guidelines that maximize the safety of our employees, students, and the greater community, while working to transition back to campus.
Masks
The Governor’s office is eliminating the requirement to wear masks while indoors effective March 11, 2022. King County’s indoor mask mandate is still in effect with no projected end date. Regardless of any future guidance from King County, Bellevue College will continue to require masks indoors at least until the end of Winter Quarter. The Flu Team and President’s Cabinet will continue to monitor local, state, and national health guidance before determining the path forward for the Spring Quarter. Guidance will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
Vaccination Requirements
As of now, the Governor has not ended the vaccine requirements for students and employees. Bellevue College continues to be a vaccinated campus. Unless and until that changes, all employees and students will be required to follow the College’s guidance on vaccination attestations, proof of vaccinations, and exemptions.
King County had a separate mandate to conduct vaccination checks for events such as drama performances and indoor sporting events, as well as for restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, and more. King County rescinded that mandate effective March 1st. Bellevue College will continue to conduct vaccination or negative test checks through the end of Winter Quarter for all indoor sporting and performing arts events but will lift that restriction at the end of Winter Quarter (unless, of course, conditions change).
Spring Quarter and beyond
It’s time for Bellevue College to get back to some normalcy. Beginning in Spring Quarter 2022, all offices will be staffed for normal business hours (Monday through Friday). Supervisors should work with employees to ensure offices are appropriately staffed to meet the needs of students and employees. Our on-ground class offerings (enrolling now) are based on student needs, but we should be moving toward our pre-COVID levels as we schedule future quarters. This shift back to normalcy will continue through the summer and beyond.
Travel
Beginning Spring Quarter, travel restrictions provided in Summer 2021 will sunset. Faculty, staff, and students will be eligible to travel for conferences, professional development, and other business needs. International travel will still be subject to review based on CDC travel recommendations. When considering travel, we ask that employees be mindful of our budget gaps resulting from declining enrollments and COVID conditions at your destination, and to consider remote options when possible. Travel guidelines may be updated as we formulate a budget for next year.
Conclusion
This has been a difficult period for all of us. It’s almost been two years since the College went into remote status, and even as it seemed like things were getting better, a new variant arose with new challenges. It’s important we all support one another as we come back to campus and work together for our students. I think we’re all looking forward to seeing life return to normal and more faces on campus!
Dennis Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
425.564.2446
This update contains the latest information and an array of resources.
Remember, we’re all in this together!
TOP 4 “NEED TO KNOW”
- Masks are Still Required: The Governor’s office is ending the indoor mask requirement on March 11, 2022. BC will continue to require masks indoors at least until the end of Winter Quarter, Mar. 22. The Flu Team and President’s Cabinet will continue to monitor local, state, and national health guidance before determining the path forward for the Spring Quarter. Keep an eye on your email for further updates.
- Vaccination Requirements: BC continues to be a vaccinated campus, and all employees and students are required to follow the College’s guidance on vaccination attestations, proof of vaccinations, and exemptions.
King County had a separate mandate to conduct vaccination checks for events such as drama performances and indoor sporting events, as well as for restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, and more.
The KC mandate ended Mar. 1, but BC will continue vaccination or negative test checks through the end of Winter Quarter for all indoor sporting and performing arts events. BC’s plan is to lift that restriction at the end of Winter Quarter (unless again, conditions change).
- Spring Quarter and Beyond: Beginning Spring Quarter (April 4), all offices will be staffed for normal business hours (Monday through Friday). Supervisors should work with employees to ensure offices are appropriately staffed to meet the needs of students and employees.
On-ground class offerings (enrolling now) are based on student needs, but BC should be moving toward its pre-COVID levels as it schedules future quarters. This shift back to normalcy will continue through the summer and beyond.
- Travel: Beginning Spring Quarter, travel restrictions provided in Summer 2021 will be lifted. Faculty, staff, and students will be eligible to travel for conferences, professional development, and other business needs. International travel will still be subject to review based on CDC travel recommendations.
HELPFUL REMINDERS
- Vaccinations: Still need to get vaccinated? There are plenty of options – and they are free!
- Public Health – Seattle & King County vaccine website (information is available in multiple languages)
- Washington State’s vaccine locator by ZIP code
- City of Seattle vaccination sites
- South King County vaccination sites (information is available in multiple languages)
- Phone options with interpretation:
- WA State COVID-19 Assistance hotline: 1-800-525-0127 or 1-888-856-5816 (then press#), 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday, 6 a.m.–6 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
- King County COVID-19 Call Center: 206-477-3977, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Boosters: Booster shots offer tremendous protection. If you are eligible, please do not wait. For more information, please visit the Public Health website for Seattle and King County.
- Case Reporting: Students, staff, and faculty who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, have COVID-19 symptoms, or have tested positive, should:
- Complete the COVID-19 Report Form. This helps BC conduct contact tracing and provide support for both students and employees. View the Report Form here.
- Remember: Do not come to campus. Students should notify their instructor, while employees should notify their supervisor and wait for HR to contact them.
WHAT’S OPEN AT BC
- The N250 computer lab is open at select times. View the current schedule.
- The ITS service desk offers in-person availability by appointment only.
- The campus bookstore will be open by appointment only, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., in order to assist students, faculty, and administrators with questions concerning book orders, adoptions, and backorders. Please contact: bookstore@bellevuecollege.edu.
- The Library Media Center will be open during the Winter Quarter from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- The Pizza Kitchen will be open Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Student Housing is open.
- The Early Learning Center is open.
WHAT’S CLOSED OR LIMITED ACCESS AT BC
Many buildings are locked for security reasons. Access to certain areas of campus may be limited. This is the current accessibility status of campus buildings:
- A Bldg.: A Building exterior doors are locked. Gender neutral restrooms A207 and A266 are unlocked Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- B Bldg.: B Building exterior doors are locked. IT Service desk and Campus Bookstore are open by appointment only.
- C Bldg.: Gendered and gender-neutral restrooms are open.
- D Bldg.: The Library Media Center will be open Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Gendered restrooms in LMC are open.
- E Bldg.: E Building exterior doors are unlocked at 9 a.m.
- G Bldg.: G Building lobby doors are unlocked. Note: G Bldg. has gendered and gender-neutral bathrooms and showers.
- H Bldg.: H Building Pizza Kitchen area is open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Food is available for purchase from the Pizza kitchen Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Note: Gender-neutral restrooms are open on the first and second floor lounges.
- K Bldg.: K Building exterior doors to lobby are unlocked Monday-Friday.
- L Bldg.: The L Building is open.
- M Bldg.: M Building exterior doors are locked.
- N Bldg.: N250 computer lab is open. Monday -Thursday 7 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday -Sunday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Note: N Bldg. has gendered and gender-neutral bathrooms.
- Q Bldg.: The Early Learning Center is not open to the general public.
- R Bldg.: R Building exterior doors are unlocked.
- S Bldg.: S Building exterior doors are unlocked.
- T Bldg.: T Building Gendered and gender-neutral restrooms are open.
- U Bldg.: U Building is open Tuesday and Wednesday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- House 4 & 5 (KBCS): Exterior doors are locked.
- North Campus: Building exterior doors are locked.
- Exterior Bathrooms: All exterior bathrooms are unlocked during class times (typically, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.)
- The Academic Success Center in D204 is open to students Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
STAYING HEALTHY
- Testing: It is extremely important to get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms or you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Testing allows you to take care of your own health and to prevent spreading the infection to others.
Free COVID-19 testing is available at BC Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. It is open to everyone regardless of immigration or insurance status. Register for an appointment online. Other free COVID-19 testing locations are listed on the Public Health – Seattle & King County websites.
- Caring for Yourself and Others: Wonder what you should do if you get COVID? Follow this guidance if you or someone in your household has symptoms of COVID-19.
SUPPORT
- The UWKC Benefits Hub at Bellevue College, located in U-building, can help eligible students:
- Access funds, navigate emergency housing, and receive other support like rent assistance for back rent and funds for move-in costs.
- Sign up for utility assistance, apply for healthcare or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (previously referred to as CARES Act) are once again available to eligible BC students with the highest exceptional need, which is identified using FAFSA and WASFA information. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply.
- There are many free food resources available for King County residents, with some offering delivery options. Learn more on the King County emergency food access website, or call 211.
- The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, and resources are available to help.
- Students can contact the Counseling Center online or call 425-564-5747 to schedule an appointment.
- Employees can access free and confidential counseling and resources through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455.
- Public Health – Seattle & King County also has an extensive list of resources on their website if you need to talk to someone right away, get help finding a counselor, or connect to the Community Health Access Program (CHAP).
COVID-19 NEWS
- Patch – WA’s Free COVID Test Program Expands to Allow Monthly Orders
- Seattle Pi – What Washington and King County’s COVID policies will look like after March 11
- CNN – Americans Can Order Another Round of Free At-Home Covid-19 Tests
- Public Health Insider – Answers to Your Questions about COVID-19 Self-Tests
OFFICIAL STATE INFORMATION SOURCES
New information and follow-up guidance about COVID-19 is continually evolving. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
Greetings,
Before we head into spring break, the President’s Cabinet, with the support of the Flu Team, wanted to provide an update on the Bellevue College masking requirement. All employees, students and visitors must wear a mask while indoors through May 1st, 2022. We recognize the requirement to wear a mask until May 1st is stricter than the current Washington state guidance. Since many people in our community travel during spring break, then return to campus, we felt it best for the safety of our community to continue wearing masks indoors through May 1st.
Over the next couple of weeks, the Flu Team will consider several metrics (e.g. transmission rate, number of new cases, etc.) to determine our campus masking requirements beyond May 1st. Metrics will be based on CDC and Department of Health guidance. Expect another message to come out in mid-April describing the metrics to be used and the thresholds that will drive decisions.
Thanks for continuing to look out for the health and safety of our community!
Dennis Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
425.564.2446
In my last COVID email (see below), I promised information on metrics to determine masking guidance. The attached document provides more information on masking guidelines for the campus. A few highlights to consider:
- As of now masks are still required at BC while indoors through May 1st. Beginning May 2nd, masks are no longer required, with a few exceptions noted in the PDF.
- The campus will use the King County COVID-19 Community level as our metric for masking guidance.
- As of today the KC Community level is “Medium”. According to the attached PDF, the Flu Team will consider other metrics when KC is in “Medium.” Based on the fact that hospital admission and bed rates are still relatively low, we are not requiring masks. Should these metrics begin to increase significantly, the Flu Team will reconsider masking guidance for the college.
- Be aware that COVID is still out there. If you start to feel sick or are exposed, please do not come to campus. Fill out a COVID exposure form, notify your supervisor, and follow HR’s guidance when they call.
Dennis Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
425.564.2446
Bellevue College Masking Criteria
Currently, all employees, students and visitors must wear a mask while indoors through May 1st, 2022.
The College will post updates to the current masking requirements on the Bellevue College Covid-19
Resources webpage.
The College will comply with federal, state, and local guidance. The College will not be less restrictive
than those guidelines but may choose more stringent standards.
The College will use metrics as an objective measure to determine whether our masking guidelines
should be more restrictive than federal/state/local guidance.
Primary metric: King County Community Level. When the Community Level is designated “Low” as
determined by KC DOH data, masks will not be required while indoors; if the Community Level is
“Medium”, the College will assess other individual metrics, such as hospitalization rates, deaths, etc., to
determine whether masks should be required. When the community level is High, masks will be
required on campus while indoors. For more information on how Community Level is determined, see
CDC measures based on new Covid-19 admissions per capita, percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied
by Covid-19 patients, and total new cases per capita.
Additional Masking Guidelines when masks are NOT required
Until the CDC or WHO declares that COVID-19 is no longer a pandemic, masks are always highly
recommended while indoors.
Wearing a mask is a personal choice… people have MANY reasons for masking. Avoid making
assumptions about why people are wearing a mask, and please honor masking requests where possible.
Except for a few reasons listed below, all employees, students and visitors will follow College masking
guidance. Employees are not allowed to require others to mask in classrooms or meeting rooms.
However, Employees may ask, but not require, others who enter a classroom or their own small,
enclosed office or cubicle space to wear a mask. Employees must have masks available for others if
asking them to mask
• Masks will still be required in health care laboratory education settings, clinical settings, the
Disability Resource Center, the Neurodiversity Center and mental health settings.
• Masks are required when instructed by HR (employees) or Student Affairs (students) in
accordance with College COVID-19 guidance for those who have symptoms, were exposed or
tested positive
• It is recommended that individuals who are at high-risk continue to wear masks.
• Masks may be required as part of internships, clinical placements or travel (this requirement
would be set by an outside agency, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the
organization sponsoring the internship)
• Employees needing an accommodation should contact Human Resources; students should
contact the Disability Resource Center
What to do if someone isn’t, but should be, wearing a mask
MAY 31, 2022
This COVID-19 update contains information and resources so you can be informed and stay safe. Remember – we’re all in this together!
KING COUNTY COVID DASHBOARD
View the most recent data for King County across a number of convenient graphs and charts. Data are updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and reflect laboratory results reported to the Washington State Department of Health as of midnight the day before.
NEED TO KNOW
· The Flu Team and President’s Cabinet will continue to monitor local, state, and national health guidance as it determines the path forward for the college.
· Vaccination Requirements: BC continues to be a fully vaccinated campus, and all employees and students are required to follow the College’s guidance on vaccination attestations, proof of vaccinations, and exemptions.
· Masks: Washington State Department of Health is again “strongly recommending” all Washingtonians wear face masks indoors as some COVID-19 trends continue to steadily rise. “This is the time to remind ourselves that this pandemic is not over,” state Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah said. “In indoor settings that are crowded or in confined places, we absolutely want you to wear a mask.”
HELPFUL REMINDERS
· Vaccinations: There are plenty of options for vaccinations – and they are free!
· Public Health – Seattle & King County vaccine website (information is available in multiple languages)
· Washington State’s vaccine locator by ZIP code
· City of Seattle vaccination sites
· South King County vaccination sites (information is available in multiple languages)
· Phone options with interpretation:
· WA State COVID-19 Assistance hotline: 1-800-525-0127 or 1-888-856-5816 (then press#), 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday, 6 a.m.–6 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
· King County COVID-19 Call Center: 206-477-3977, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
· Boosters: Experts agree – everyone over 5 years of age should get a booster. If you are eligible, please don’t wait. For more information, please visit the Public Health website for Seattle and King County.
· Tests: Need an at-home COVID test? Washington residents can request up to 10 tests a month. Order yours now. Already ordered? Check your mobile text updates at the number provided or call 1-800-525-0127.
· Case Reporting: Students, staff, and faculty who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, have COVID-19 symptoms, or have tested positive, should:
· Complete the COVID-19 Report Form. This helps BC conduct contact tracing and provide support for both students and employees. View the Report Form here.
· Remember: Do not come to campus. Students should notify their instructor, while employees should notify their supervisor and wait for HR to contact them.
STAYING HEALTHY
· Testing: It is extremely important to get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms or you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Testing allows you to take care of your own health and to prevent spreading the infection to others.
Free COVID-19 testing is available at BC. It is open to everyone regardless of immigration or insurance status. immigration or insurance status. Register for an appointment online. Other free COVID-19 testing locations are listed on the Public Health – Seattle & King County websites.
· Caring for Yourself and Others: Wonder what you should do if you get COVID? Follow this guidance if you or someone in your household has symptoms of COVID-19.
SUPPORT
· The UWKC Benefits Hub at Bellevue College, located in U-building, can help eligible students:
· Access funds, navigate emergency housing, and receive other support like rent assistance for back rent and funds for move-in costs.
· Sign up for utility assistance, apply for healthcare or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
· There are many free food resources available for King County residents, with some offering delivery options. Learn more on the King County emergency food access website, or call 211.
· The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, and resources are available to help.
· Students can contact the Counseling Center online or call 425-564-5747 to schedule an appointment.
· Employees can access free and confidential counseling and resources through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455.
· Public Health – Seattle & King County also has an extensive list of resources on their website if you need to talk to someone right away, get help finding a counselor, or connect to the Community Health Access Program (CHAP).
COVID-19 NEWS
· WA State Dept. of Health – If You have an iHealth Test Kit from Say Yes COVID Test, You Can Add Three Months to the “Use By” Date
· Public Health Insider – What’s the Deal with Boosters (and Why It’s a Good Time for a Boost)
OFFICIAL STATE INFORMATION SOURCES
New information and follow-up guidance about COVID-19 is continually evolving. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
· Washington State Department of Health Coronavirus
· Public Health Seattle and King County Coronavirus Disease
· Public Health Seattle and King County Health Blog
Stay well,
The Flu Team
JUNE 30, 2022
This newsletter contains the latest information and an array of resources. Remember, we’re all in this together!
KING COUNTY COVID DASHBOARD
View the most recent data for King County across a number of graphs and charts. Data is updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and reflect laboratory results reported to the Washington State Department of Health as of midnight the day before.
TOP 3 “NEED TO KNOW”
Vaccination Requirements: BC continues to be a fully vaccinated campus. All employees and students are required to follow the College’s guidance on vaccination attestations, proof of vaccinations, and exemptions.
Masks: BC strongly recommends that masks continue to be worn in all high-risk situations – including indoor settings and outdoor events involving multiple parties.
UW Testing: COVID testing will be available through the summer on the BC campus from 9-5:30 p.m. Appointments are suggested. For additional information, call 833-562-1212.
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HELPFUL REMINDERS
Vaccinations: There are plenty of options for vaccinations – and they are free!
- Public Health – Seattle & King County vaccine website (information is available in multiple languages)
- Washington State’s vaccine locator by ZIP code
- City of Seattle vaccination sites
- Phone options with interpretation:
- WA State COVID-19 Assistance hotline: 1-800-525-0127 or 1-888-856-5816 (then press #), 6 a.m.–10 p.m. (Monday), 6 a.m.–6 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
- King County COVID-19 Call Center: 206-477-3977, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Boosters: Experts agree – everyone over 5 years of age should get a booster. If you are eligible, please don’t wait. For more information, please visit the Public Health website for Seattle and King County.
Tests: Need an at-home COVID test? Washington residents can request up to 10 tests a month. Order yours now. Already ordered? Check your mobile text updates at the number provided or call 1-800-525-0127.
Case Reporting: Students, staff, and faculty who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, have COVID-19 symptoms, or have tested positive, should:
- Complete the COVID-19 Report Form. This helps BC conduct contact tracing and provide support for both students and employees. View the Report Form here.
- Remember: Do not come to campus. Students should notify their instructor, while employees should notify their supervisor and wait for HR to contact them.
.
STAYING HEALTHY
Traveling: Follow these guidelines to ensure your safety.
- Use high quality, well-fitting masks (N95, KN95, and KF94) in indoor public settings and group gatherings.
- Make sure you are up-to-date on all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses including booster doses.
- Test before gathering with high-risk people just before air travel.
- Check on ventilation where you are going. Open windows and doors. Outdoors is safer than indoors.
Testing: It is extremely important to get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms or you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Testing allows you to take care of your own health and to prevent spreading the infection to others.
Free COVID-19 testing is available at BC. It is open to everyone regardless of immigration or insurance status. Register for an appointment online. Other free COVID-19 testing locations are listed on the Public Health – Seattle & King County websites.
Caring for Yourself and Others: Wonder what you should do if you get COVID? Follow this guidance if you or someone in your household has symptoms of COVID-19.
SUPPORT
The UWKC Benefits Hub at Bellevue College, located in the U building, can help eligible students:
- Access funds, navigate emergency housing, and receive other support like rent assistance for back rent and funds for move-in costs.
- Sign up for utility assistance, apply for healthcare, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
There are many free food resources available for King County residents, with some offering delivery options. Learn more on the King County emergency food access website, or call 211.
The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health, and resources are available to help:
- Students can contact the Counseling Center online or call 425-564-5747 to schedule an appointment.
- Employees can access free and confidential counseling and resources through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455.
- Public Health – Seattle & King County also has an extensive list of resources on their website if you need to talk to someone right away, get help finding a counselor, or connect to the Community Health Access Program (CHAP).
…
COVID-19 NEWS
Public Health – Why Do We Need Boosters If Things are Going Back to Normal?
Public Health – King County Transitions COVID-19 Testing Sites to Community Partners
U.S. Federal Health and Human Services – Test to Treat: Faster, Easier Access to Life‑Saving COVID‑19 Treatments
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OFFICIAL STATE INFORMATION SOURCES
New information and follow-up guidance about COVID-19 is continually evolving. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
- Washington State Department of Health Coronavirus
- Public Health Seattle and King County Coronavirus Disease
- Public Health Seattle and King County Health Blog
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The Flu Team and President’s Cabinet will continue to monitor local, state, and national health guidance as it determines the path forward for the college.
BC continues to follow the best practices outlined by the CDC and state health officials. As a reminder, the best way to ensure your health and that of others is to practice good hygiene including covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, and staying home if you are feeling sick. BC strongly recommends wearing a mask while indoors, especially in large groups.
Stay well,
The Flu Team
AUGUST 17, 2022
This newsletter contains the latest information and an array of resources.
Remember, we are all in this together!
(Most of the information in the following Monkeypox (MPV) article comes from a message sent by the University of Washington Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases, updated on July 26. The BC Flu Team modified sections of this message on August 4 to reflect the most current understanding of the virus. We will continue to update information as the outbreak develops and additional guidance is disseminated from appropriate authorities.)
MPV: A PRIMER
- What is MPV: MPV is a rare viral infectionthat has not often been seen in the U.S. It can cause a rash that looks like bumps, blisters or ulcers. Some people have flu-like illness before the rash develops. Most people recover in 2–4 weeks, but the disease can be serious, especially for children and people who are immune compromised or pregnant.
- How Does MPV Spread: MPV is usually spread from one person to another through close contact (often skin-to skin). Routes of transmission include:
· Direct physical contact with MPV rash, sores, or scabs from a person with MPV. The CDC believes this is currently the most common way that MPV is spreading in the U.S.
· Skin-to-skin contact (touching an infected person) which includes casual contact and intimate contact like sex
· Respiratory droplets (breathing and talking near an infected person)
· Fomite transmission, which means touching clothing, bedding, or an object an infected person has touched
Note: Anyone can contract MPV, regardless of sexual orientation or sexual behavior. While many recent cases have been tied to sexual contact, this is just one of the ways to contract MPV.
- What are symptoms of MPV? The illness can begin with flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, back and muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and general exhaustion, followed by a rash(usually painful) that can look like pimples or blisters.
· Symptoms usually start within three weeks of exposure to the virus.
· Within 1-4 days of symptoms beginning, people usually develop a rash or sores.
· The sores might be located on or near the genitals or anus, but sometimes occur in other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or in the mouth. Sores often go through several stages before healing, which takes about three weeks.
· An individual isn’t considered contagious until symptoms appear; they remain contagious until all sores have healed, a new layer of skin is formed, and scabs have fallen off.
- What to do if you experience symptoms?
· Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop a new, unexplained rash or lesions on any part of the body or if you think you have been exposed. They can help get you access to the appropriate testing, if needed.
· Avoid sex or other close, intimate contact with others until you have been evaluated.
· Avoid gatherings, especially if they involve close, personal, skin-to-skin contact or prolonged face-to-face contact.
· Talk to your partner(s) about any recent illness and be aware of new or unexplained sores or rashes on your body or your partner’s body, including rashes on the genitals and anus.
- What to Do If Your Healthcare Provider Suspects or Confirms You Have an MPV Infection?
· Isolate at home until the rash has fully resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed. This is when you are no longer contagious to others. Follow the CDC monkeypox isolation guidelines.
· Follow any additional guidelines provided by your healthcare provider.
- How Can You Reduce Your Risk and Prevent Spread?
· Avoid skin to skin contact with someone who may be sick (flu-like symptoms and/or open sores)
· Avoid sharing towels, clothes, drinks, eating utensils, and other items that have come into contact with another person’s skin or bodily fluids.
· Handwashing and hand sanitizing, just like with COVID-19, can help prevent transmission
· Mask wearing, just like with COVID-19, can help prevent transmission via respiratory droplets
· Avoid events and venues where skin-to-skin contact is inevitable or part of the event (packed in dance venues, other crowded spaces, places where people may have less clothing on or be engaging in close touching)
· Settings and events where individuals do not have skin-to-skin contact are generally low risk (e.g., classrooms and offices). However, if attending an event, please be mindful of activities (e.g., kissing, sharing drinks and eating utensils) that might increase the risk for spreading MPV.
- Is There a MPV Vaccine? When properly administered before or after a recent exposure, vaccines can be effective tools at protecting people against MPV illness and can make it less severe after exposure. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions about getting vaccinated against MPV.
Supplies of the MPV vaccine are currently limited, both locally and nationally. Many health jurisdictions are prioritizing vaccination to those who are at high risk for infection.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced an enhanced strategy to vaccinate and protect at-risk individuals from MPV.
King County has a very limited supply of MPV vaccine. Supplies are expected to increase later this summer and this fall. Visit the Public Health – Seattle & King County Monkeypox vaccine Q&A page for more information. Pierce County is working with Washington State Department of Health to develop their vaccine strategy. Visit the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department monkeypox website for more information.
- More Information: Visit the Washington state, King, Pierce, and Snohomish health department websites or the CDC U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak 2022 webpage for more information.
As this is a newer outbreak, public health entities nationally and internationally are still learning about the behaviors that may put people at increased risk. We will continue to share information as we learn more.
TOP 5 COVID “NEED TO KNOW”
- Higher Education Protocols: While Governor Inslee rescinded some COVID-19 mandates, the higher education proclamation is still in effect. For details, please visit this document on safety protocols.
- BC Vaccination Requirements: BC continues to be a fully vaccinated campus. All employees and students are required to follow the College’s guidance on vaccination attestations, proof of vaccinations, and exemptions.
- Back to School Vaccine Mandate for K-12: On or before the first day of instruction, all K-12 students in Washington state must be up to date on vaccinations required for school, whether attending classes in-person or remotely. King County children through age 18 can get all vaccines required for K-12 school entry, as well as COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, at upcoming free clinics in Seattle, Federal Way, Renton, and Auburn. For more information: visit the King County Public Health site.
- Masks: BC strongly recommends that masks continue to be worn in all high-risk situations – including indoor settings and outdoor events involving multiple parties.
- UW Testing: COVID testing is available the BC campus from 9-5:30 p.m. Appointments are suggested. For additional information, call 833-562-1212.
KING COUNTY COVID DASHBOARD
View the most recent data for King County across a number of convenient graphs and charts. Data is updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and reflect laboratory results reported to the Washington State Department of Health as of midnight the day before.
HELPFUL COVID REMINDERS
- Vaccinations: There are plenty of options for vaccinations – and they are free!
- Public Health – Seattle & King County vaccine website (information is available in multiple languages)
- Washington State’s vaccine locator by ZIP code
- City of Seattle vaccination sites
- Phone options with interpretation:
- WA State COVID-19 Assistance hotline: 1-800-525-0127 or 1-888-856-5816 (then press #), 6 a.m.–10 p.m. (Monday), 6 a.m.–6 p.m. (Tuesday – Sunday)
- King County COVID-19 Call Center: 206-477-3977, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Boosters: Experts agree – everyone over 5 years of age should get a booster. If you are eligible, please don’t wait. For more information, please visit the Public Health website for Seattle and King County.
- Tests: Need an at-home COVID test? Washington residents can request up to 10 tests a month. Order yours now. Already ordered? Check your mobile text updates at the number provided or call 1-800-525-0127.
- Case Reporting: Students, staff, and faculty who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, have COVID-19 symptoms, or have tested positive, should:
- Complete the COVID-19 Report Form. This helps BC conduct contact tracing and provide support for both students and employees.
- Remember: Do not come to campus. Students should notify their instructor, while employees should notify their supervisor and wait for HR to contact them.
STAYING HEALTHY DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC
- Traveling: Follow these guidelines to ensure your safety.
- Use high quality, well-fitting masks (N95, KN95, and KF94) in indoor public settings and group gatherings.
- Make sure you are up-to-date on all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses including booster doses.
- Test before gathering with high-risk people just before air travel.
- Check on ventilation where you are going. Open windows and doors. Outdoors is safer than indoors.
- Testing: It is extremely important to get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms or you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Testing allows you to take care of your own health and to prevent spreading the infection to others. Free COVID-19 testing is available at BC. It is open to everyone regardless of immigration or insurance status. Register for an appointment online. Other free COVID-19 testing locations are listed on the Public Health – Seattle & King County websites.
- Caring for Yourself and Others: Wonder what you should do if you get COVID? Follow this guidance if you or someone in your household has symptoms of COVID-19.
SUPPORT
- The UWKC Benefits Hub at Bellevue College, located in the U building, can help eligible students:
- Access funds, navigate emergency housing, and receive other support like rent assistance for back rent and funds for move-in costs.
- Sign up for utility assistance, apply for healthcare, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
- There are many free food resources available for King County residents, with some offering delivery options. Learn more on the King County emergency food access website, or call 211.
- The pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’smental health, and resources are available to help.
- Students can contact the Counseling Center online or call 425-564-5747 to schedule an appointment.
- Employees can access free and confidential counseling and resources through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 877-313-4455.
- Public Health – Seattle & King County also has an extensive list of resources on their website if you need to talk to someone right away, get help finding a counselor, or connect to the Community Health Access Program (CHAP).
COVID-19 NEWS
- Public Health – Helping Others with COVID
- Public Health – Take Care – Some Rapid Response Tests Have Expired
- AP News – Take 3 Home Tests if Exposed to COVID to Boost Accuracy
- Seattle Times – Should You Still wear a Mask?
OFFICIAL STATE INFORMATION SOURCES
New information and follow-up guidance about COVID-19 is continually evolving. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
- Washington State Department of Health Coronavirus
- Public Health Seattle and King County Coronavirus Disease
- Public Health Seattle and King County Health Blog
The Flu Team and President’s Cabinet will continue to monitor local, state, and national health guidance as it determines the path forward for the college.
BC continues to follow the best practices outlined by the CDC and state health officials. As a reminder, the best way to ensure your health and that of others is to practice good hygiene including covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, and staying home if you are feeling sick. BC strongly recommends wearing a mask while indoors, especially in large groups.
Bellevue College
3000 Landerholm Circle SE | Bellevue, WA | 98007 | (425) 564-1000
Welcome back to campus! A lot of COVID related guidance has changed over the last few months, so the Flu Team wanted to provide some updates. Our goal is to keep employees and students as safe as possible, while adapting to the latest COVID guidance and balancing the need for in-person services and classes.
Emergency Proclamations
Governor Inslee announced he will rescind all remaining COVID emergency proclamations no later than October 31, 2022. This includes the higher education proclamation that requires all institutions of higher education to declare whether they are a vaccinated or unvaccinated campus.
Until further notice, Bellevue College remains a vaccinated campus, which requires students to either be vaccinated or have an exemption from the College. Employees are required to do the same, per Governor Inslee’s order that all state employees must be vaccinated or have an exemption/accommodation from their employer. At this time, it is unclear what, if any, requirements will exist beyond October 31st. The Flu Team and President’s Cabinet will continue to monitor for updates and provide more information as it becomes available.
Masking Guidelines
KN95 and N95 masks provide the best protection against spreading COVID. Surgical masks are the next most effective, followed by double layered cloth masks.
While masks are not required on campus, please respect those who choose to wear one. Employees and students wear masks for a number of reasons and it’s important we respect that decision. If someone chooses to wear a mask, BC recommends wearing the KN95. The college will provide KN95 masks to all employees who request them (up to five masks per month). Employees can obtain masks through their department/unit.
**Please remember that students cannot be required to wear a mask in public spaces.**
Department representatives can obtain KN95 masks through the College’s request center. The attached document provides details on how to determine the appropriate number of masks. Surgical masks can also be ordered for distribution in classrooms and other areas where students may be present. Most classrooms should continue to have a cleaning caddy that contains masks. Check with your Division Operations Director if your classroom does not have one.
Reporting exposures or positive COVID tests
To ensure that BC responds as quickly and effectively as possible, students and employees must report a confirmed close contact, COVID-like symptoms, or a positive COVID test using the online COVID report form.
This form provides information to a limited number of administrators who will implement the appropriate exposure or infection protocol. The protocol includes notifying those who may have had close contact and sanitizing facilities, as necessary. This notification will also cover what an instructor needs to do in the event of an exposure in a classroom.
Please fill out the form as soon as possible, even if you are not working or attending class on campus.
We will continue to monitor developments and let you know if the College’s guidance changes. Thank you in advance for everything you do to help create a safe, and healthy campus.
Nov. 29, 2022
This update contains information and resources so you can stay safe.
Remember – we’re all in this together!
OVERVIEW
While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses typically circulate during the fall and winter during what’s known as the flu season. The exact timing and duration of flu seasons varies, but flu activity often begins to increase in October. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although significant activity can last as late as May. Since the start of the COVID pandemic, the timing and duration of flu activity has been less predictable.
Though it’s common to use the term “flu” to refer to a cold or other respiratory illness, the flu is much worse. It’s a highly contagious viral infection. The flu is unpredictable, and it can be severe, especially for the elderly, children, pregnant individuals, and those with certain health conditions. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States are hospitalized with the flu, and tens of thousands of people die.
The flu spreads easily from person to person through coughs and sneezes. Adults can infect others one day before they show symptoms and up to five days after they get sick. Children can spread the virus for ten or more days.
KING COUNTY COVID DASHBOARD
View the most recent data for King County. Data are updated Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and reflect laboratory results reported to the Washington State Department of Health as of midnight the day before.
NEED TO KNOW
Flu Symptoms
· Fever
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Runny or stuffy nose.
· Muscle or body aches, chills
· Headaches
· Fatigue
· Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)
Vaccinations
Everyone six months of age and older should get an annual flu vaccine to prevent sickness, healthcare visits, hospitalizations, and deaths from influenza. The flu vaccine is your best protection. Protection lasts throughout the flu season, which usually peaks in January or February and continues into the spring. Some children and adults may be eligible to receive nasal spray flu vaccine.
The Washington State Department of Health recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone aged six-months and older, including pregnant and nursing people. If you are 65 or older, talk to your provider about flu vaccine and other important vaccines for your age group.
It takes two weeks for the vaccine to protect you from flu. The flu vaccine does not protect against coronavirus, colds, or other viruses that cause respiratory illness.
The flu vaccine keeps many people from getting the flu. Some people who get the flu vaccine may still get sick. If you do get the flu, the vaccine will help reduce the severity of your illness. It will also lower your chance of needing to go to the hospital.
Other Measures
In addition to getting vaccinated, wash hands often and cover your cough.
If You Get Sick
- Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.
- Take antivirals drugs – if prescribed by a health care provider.
Review more information for people who are sick.
Monitoring at BC
The Flu Team and President’s Cabinet will continue to track local, state, and national health guidance as it determines the path forward for the college.
RESOURCES
Visit your local doctor’s office, pharmacy, or clinic event. Go to www.vaccinefinder.org or call the Help Me Grow Washington hotline at 1-800-322-2588 (language assistance available) to find a flu vaccine location near you.
- In Washington, all children under age 19 get flu vaccines and other recommended vaccines at no cost. The provider may charge an administration fee to give the vaccine. You can ask them to waive this fee if you cannot afford it.
- Most insurance plans, including Medicare part B, cover the cost of flu vaccine for adults.
- Consult your local health department for information about other no-cost flu vaccine options that may be available in your community.
Note: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can both be received in the same day, or even the same visit for convenience.
FLU NEWS
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Treatment: What you Need to Know
- National Foundation for Infectious Diseases – Myths and Facts About Influenza (Flu)
- UCSF Health – Can You Tell If It’s the Flu or COVID-19? Doctors Say It’s Not So Clear
OFFICIAL STATE INFORMATION SOURCES
Information and follow-up guidance is continually evolving. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
· Washington State Department of Health
· Public Health Seattle and King County
Stay well,
The Flu Team
REMEMBER: If you feel sick or have cold- or flu-like symptoms, GO HOME or STAY HOME. Take a COVID-19 test.
Colleagues,
As of October 31, 2022, the Governor of Washington rescinded the Washington State higher education COVID emergency proclamations. The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) still requires us to notify employees who have been exposed in the workplace. This email will provide details on our notification procedures and other steps we will continue to take as a campus in regard to COVID-19.
Effective December 5th, 2022, the college will transition from individual notifications to campus-wide notifications for COVID exposures. Notification details:
- The campus will be notified once per day in a single campus-wide email, Monday through Friday. If the campus does not receive any positive test notifications on a particular day, then an email will not be sent out.
- Notifications will go out when a student, employee or visitor notifies the college they tested positive for COVID-19 and were on campus within two days prior or five days after testing positive
- Notifications will include information such as date tested positive, locations visited, and date last on campus
- When five or more people test positive, within a 72-hour time period and it occurs in one area, event, department, etc., the college will individually notify everyone who was potentially exposed
- As of January 15th, 2023, the college will transition from emailing the information to posting it on a campus website that anyone can view
This notification process change provides everyone on campus with information on where and when they may have been exposed to someone who tested positive and reduces the administrative impact.
Additional COVID-19 precautions and practices that will continue at Bellevue College:
- Masks continue to be optional, unless otherwise required by the college
- The college will provide masks and COVID-19 supply caddies as requested
- Employees and students are strongly encouraged to stay home when feeling sick and to take a COVID test if they experience any COVID symptoms
- Employees and students who test positive still need to fill out a COVID report (the college no longer requires COVID reporting for symptoms or for potential exposure to COVID)
- Faculty are encouraged to include in their syllabi the COVID reporting information and reminders to stay home when sick
- Students who need to stay home sick should contact their instructors; employees who need to stay home sick should notify their supervisors
One final note: data is indicating this will be a rough flu season. Get a flu shot! Stay home if you feel sick!
Dennis Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
425.564.2446
This COVID-19 update contains information to help you stay informed and safe.
King County Public Health COVID –19 Dashboard
Accurate data has been one of the cornerstones of our COVID-19 response, helping us inform policy decisions and identify communities most directly impacted by the virus. The latest metrics and trends can be found on the King County Public Health Dashboard.
King County Public Health Advice
Given an unprecedented surge in viral respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and COVID-19, King County Health officials recommend that everyone wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask when around others in indoor spaces to protect against both acquiring and spreading these infections to others.
COVID-19 and BC
If you believe you were exposed to COVID-19:
- You may come to campus; however, you must wear a high-quality mask at all times.
- Complete the Isolation & Exposure Calculator on the CDC isolation page.
- Follow the CDC isolation guidance.
- Read the FDA information on how to use a home antigen test or get a lab test.
- Watch for symptoms: fever (100.4°F or greater), runny nose, sore throat, cough, and other COVID-19 symptoms.
If you test positive for COVID-19:
- Submit a COVID Report as soon as possible so we can provide timely information to the campus.
- If you are experiencing any of the listed symptoms of COVID-19:
- Stay home or go home immediately.
- Take a COVID-19 test.
A Word About Masks at BC
As mentioned above, health experts are recommending that masks be worn in indoor spaces to protect against both acquiring and spreading these infections to others. It’s important to remember that we are a community at BC. We need to look out for each other. When it comes to COVID-19, there are those in our community and families who are more at risk than others.
You may find yourself in a situation at BC where you are asked to wear a mask. If you can wear a mask, please do so. It’s a small request, and your support will be appreciated. If you are meeting with someone who is already wearing a mask, consider putting on a mask or asking them if they would like you to wear a mask.
If you are asking someone to wear a mask, remember these suggestions:
- Be respectful and non-threatening when you make your request. Shaming someone or telling them what to do will likely backfire.
- If possible, try to quietly speak with the individual in private. This should help immensely.
- The Harvard Business Review has additional tips on the subject. It’s worth a read.
Additional Tips
- The best protection is to get vaccinated. Fully vaccinated people are helping reduce COVID-19 in the community.
- Get teste if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who tests positive.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 or are at higher risk from the disease, getting COVID treatment early can help to protect from severe illness and hospitalization. Ask your healthcare provider to see if treatment is recommended for you.
- If you and your family members are vaccinated but haven’t received your booster yet – do not delay. Everyone ages 12 and older should get an updated booster after completing their primary vaccine series AND at least 2 months since the last vaccine or booster dose.
Additional information on the above topics can be found here.
Official State Information
Guidance about COVID-19 continues to evolve. Here are some additional websites to help you stay informed:
- Washington State Department of Health Coronavirus
- Public Health Seattle and King County Coronavirus Disease
- Public Health Seattle and King County Health Blog
As always – stay well,
The Flu Team
Return to Campus Guidance
Masking Guidelines
Wearing a mask is recommended, but not required, while on the BC campus.
KN95 and N95 masks provide the best protection against spreading germs. Surgical masks are the next most effective, followed by double layered cloth masks.
BC recommends wearing the KN95. The college will provide KN95 masks to all employees who request them (up to five masks per month). Employees can obtain masks through their department/unit. The attached PDF provides information on how to properly wear and care for a KN95 mask.
Department representatives can obtain KN95 masks through request center. The attached document provides details on how to determine the appropriate number of masks. Surgical masks can also be ordered for distribution in classrooms and other areas where students may be present. NOTE:
Student Vaccination Status
All Bellevue College Community members are required to be vaccinated or have an approved medical or religious exemption. Students are required to provide an attestation in order to register for classes. The College will ask a random sample of students (15% each quarter) to verify their vaccination status. If a statistically significant number of those students provided false information, the college will expand the pool of students asked for verification.
Proof may include Verified QR codes from Washington State Department of Health using MyIR Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates or COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards from the CDC. Uploaded CDC cards are strictly scrutinized for authenticity and further verification is requested if any information is unclear, atypical, or inconsistent.
Note: Students who are not selected may also choose to provide proof of vaccination.
COVID Supplies
The campus custodial team cleans all facilities on a daily basis. All classrooms are supplied with a cleaning caddy that includes hand sanitizer, cleaning materials and surgical masks. Instructors may direct students to clean their own spaces after use or may choose to use these materials between classes.
If there is a need for additional hand sanitizer, masks, cleaning materials or other PPE, please fill out a service request. Campus Ops will provide the requested supplies.
Airflow
All buildings in the attached document have high efficiency MERV 13 air filters, as recommended by the American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE). These filters reduce potential circulation of the COVID-19 virus.
Wherever possible, BC also increased the percentage of outside air flow as well as the air exchange rates within the heating, ventilation, and AC (HVAC) systems.
Classroom Recommendations
Along with having cleaning and distancing protocols in the classroom, it is highly recommended that faculty use seating charts for better contact tracing in the case of a positive test. There is a seating schematic in 25Live for every classroom. Faculty should contact Megan Watson if there are questions about seating schematics.
As a vaccinated campus, three feet of physical distance is not required, but it is highly recommended. Wherever possible, classrooms have been scheduled below capacity to allow for 3 feet of distancing between students and spaced to allow for transition time between class meetings.
Emails are archived on the BC Covid-19 Information Website.
Three attachments:
- 1 Page Handout – Mask Wear and Care
- Guidelines for Mask Distribution
- Status of Building Filtration Systems
Dennis Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
425.564.2446
Covid Return to Campus Information #2: Classroom Technology
This is the second in a series of emails to provide information on Bellevue College COVID protocols for staff, faculty, and students as they return to campus over the next few weeks and months. The purpose of this notice is to update faculty on the status and use of classroom technology and support related to remote streaming. Emails are archived on the BC Covid-19 Information Website.
This is a work in progress, and we are working to provide further resources and information to increase the ease of use.
Remote Streaming
Most classrooms now have the capability for “HyFlex” (streaming and in-person) classes (classrooms that have the capacity for live streaming). The current state for Bellevue College is that all podium computers have been equipped with a Logitech C930 web camera with integrated microphones, the device can help provide synchronous education with instructors through video conferencing technologies such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. In addition, it is possible to use your own laptop to stream lectures live via Zoom or Teams.
For help in learning how to set up video in Zoom using the new Logitech C930E Webcams in the classrooms, please check with our IT team (see below) or look up helpful videos like: https://youtu.be/zC-Ziezj_ds?t=51 (Timestamp 0:51)
Information on technology in the classroom is now listed within the software used for room scheduling (25Live) and is accessible to those in your division who schedule classes.
For more information on HyFlex Teaching, see Columbia University’s HyFlex Website or the HyFlex Learning Community. We are working to develop capacity, resources, and training for this mode of teaching and will share BC more information as it becomes available.
OWL devices (mobile and have 360-degree smart video conferencing capability) are not recommended for classroom use. If you would like to check one out for a small meeting you can contact eLearning or check with your Division office. BC has a limited number to these devices, and they do not work well in a classroom setting, so we are not currently able to provide them for classroom use.
Microphones
Cost, quality, and supply chain shortages have made it exceedingly difficult to provide quality microphones for voice amplification in all classrooms. Some classrooms have “lapel” microphones installed for use. Microphones for live streaming are built into the webcam set up in the classroom (see above).
Technology Support
BC’s Service Desk team includes technology specialists who cover campus-wide support for desktop computing, printing, lab and classroom technology, and user assistance – this includes technology in the classroom for remote streaming. For a full list of supported services, please sign-in and browse our Service Catalog or view helpful articles in our Knowledge Base. For assistance:
- Call the Service Desk at (425) 564-4357
- Use the Chat function or submit a ticket via the ITS Service Desk (teamdynamix.com)
- Tips for Cleaning and Disinfecting your Devices KB (teamdynamix.com)
eLearning Support
The eLearning team will continue to host Live Faculty Online Canvas support hours during Winter 2022 Quarter and Instructional Designers are able to assist with online questions from 11am to 3pm M-F.
- Create a Request Center ticket if you need assistance with Canvas content.
- Use the TDX ticketing system, if you need to Add/Remove a user in your Canvas course or Request a Canvas shell for an Incomplete.
February Month of Microlearning – 30-minute sessions on a variety of digital teaching and learning topics, led by eLearning specialists, faculty, and staff from around campus.
All videos of the eLearning workshops are available on the MyBC portal.
- 2/2 (Wed) – Building and Using Cidi Labs
- 2/4 (Fri) – StreamLabs in Zoom Meetings
- 2/7 (Fri) – Exploring Hybrid Teaching Models
- 2/9 (Wed) – How to set up a Hybrid Meeting from the classroom
- 2/11 (Fri) – Virtual Spaces in Mozilla Hubs
- 2/14 (Mon) – Options for Student Video Assignments
- 2/16 (Wed) – Using the Cidi Labs Image Editor
- 2/18 (Fri) – Recording in Panopto
- 2/21 (Mon) – Hypothes.is: A Social Annotation Tool
- 2/23 (Wed) – Bridging Purpose and Canvas Design
- 2/25 (Fri) – Time Saving Tips for Grading Written Work
- 2/28 (Mon) – Open Broadcasting System (OBS) in Zoom Meetings
eLearning provides access to: Cidi Labs Design tool training; Syllabus Template; Panopto from recording through analytics; Canvas Quick References; Video creation tools for checkout and access to Studio Q Video Production Room. Please note this is a work in progress, and we will continue to work to provide further resources and information to increase the ease of use.
—Robert Viens, PhD
Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
Bellevue College
rob.viens@bellevuecollege.edu
(425) 564-3158
Reporting exposures or positive COVID tests
To ensure that BC responds as quickly and effectively as possible, students and employees must report a confirmed close contact or a positive COVID test using the on-line COVID exposure form.
This form provides information to a limited number of administrators who will implement the appropriate exposure or infection protocol. The protocol includes notifying those who may have had close contact and sanitizing facilities, as necessary.
NOTE: please fill out the form as soon as possible, even if you are not working or attending class on campus.
Isolation and quarantine protocols
BC follows CDC guidance for isolation and quarantine when an employee or student reports that they have been exposed, have symptoms, or tested positive for COVID-19.
Designated staff follow set guidelines when responding to possible exposures. Some areas of the campus, such as the ELC and Student Housing, follow additional protocols.
BC has access to a limited number of priority testing appointments at the on-campus testing site. The College also maintains a small number of home tests to provide to employees in critical situations. The attached PDF provides information on how and when BC will disseminate home tests. We are working out the logistics for priority COVID testing and will disseminate guidelines shortly.
In the event that COVID protocols require a class to quarantine, instruction is expected to continue remotely if possible, either with the instructor (if quarantining) or with a substitute if the instructor is on sick leave (based on standard Divisional substitution practices).
COVID Testing moved – parking garage is open
The parking garage is fully open and available for use. Those with appropriate permits may park in the garage effective immediately.
The COVID testing operation, managed by the University of Washington, moved to the outer parking lots (1A, 1B, 3A and 3B). The new location is set up very similar to other testing locations across the state and is also designed to limit traffic backups.
BC will continue to monitor traffic closely to assess the impact on campus accessibility. Anyone in the community may use this site for testing, and reservations can be made through the King County reservation site.
Scheduling staff to minimize contact
As BC returns to campus, supervisors are encouraged to alternate staffing, as they are able, to minimize exposure and the spread of COVID. Based on current COVID protocols, if all office staff are exposed to a positive case, it could result in the closure of an entire office (and reduced services) for several days.
Thus, setting up an alternate staffing pattern (e.g. half the office is on campus Mondays and Wednesdays and the other half is in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays) minimizes the possibility of the entire office or department being exposed.
Emails are archived on the BC Covid-19 Information Website.
Two attachments:
- Guidelines for Testing Distribution (pdf)
- Guidelines for Mask Distribution (1) (pdf-UPDATED DUE TO AN ERROR ON PAGE 2. NOTE: KN95 masks ARE NOT available for pickup at Public Safety, as noted in the previous version)
Dennis Curran
Vice President of Administrative Services
425.564.2446
On-Campus Services
Note: Information about service hours is still being collected, so this is a preliminary list. BC will continue to regularly update this as new information becomes available. Watch for an email from Student Affairs with information about the availability of specific student services.
- N250 computer lab: View the current schedule here.
- IT service desk (2nd floor of B bldg, above the bookstore): In-person availability by appointment only.
- Campus Bookstore: By appointment only, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., to assist students, faculty, and administrators with questions concerning book orders, adoptions, and backorders.
- Library: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Student Services (U Building): Tuesday & Wednesday 8 a.m. – 5 pm. Please review individual departments updates on availability outside of these days.
- Human Resources (1st floor of B Building): Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Virtual and in-person available by appointment.
Note: all campus offices are offering services remotely to meet the needs of remote learners.
Food and Drink Options
- Pizza Kitchen (Student Housing ground floor): Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- C-Building Coffee Shop: Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and closed Fridays
- Main Cafeteria remains closed
- Campus vending machines are regularly restocked; however, supply constraints may impact offerings
Student Open Spaces
Study lounges and open areas will remain available for student use. As in all other interior spaces, masks are required and distancing is strongly recommended.
Parking
There are no changes to standard parking policies. Only the outer student lots 1A, 1B, 3A and 3B will be closed for parking and used for COVID testing. Those coming to campus can either pay for parking daily (in Lots 12, 16 and 5th Floor of the Parking Garage) or purchase their annual parking pass on the Public Safety website.
Public Safety will only issue warnings for parking without a valid permit February 7– 11. (Citations will be issued for other violations such as parking in a fire lane, loading areas, ADA space, etc.).
—Robert Viens, PhD
Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
Bellevue College
rob.viens@bellevuecollege.edu
(425) 564-3158
Last Updated January 26, 2023